Cadillac’s First All-Electric Vehicle Will Feature GM’s New Ultium Batteries

The Cadillac LYRIQ is expected to go on sale in 2022. (Image courtesy of Cadillac.)

Three words describe Cadillac's first all-electric vehicle (EV): luxurious, futuristic and beyond compare.

LYRIQ will feature multiple charging options, all-wheel-drive configurations, hands-free driver assistance, dual-plane augmented reality-enhanced head-up display, remote self-parking, as well as GM’s new Ultium battery.

The new battery system offers approximately 100 kilowatt-hours of energy using nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum (NCMA) chemistry instead of its usual nickel-manganese-cobalt chemistry. The aluminum in the cathode helps reduce the need for rare-earth materials such as cobalt, and is 70 percent less cobalt compared to current GM batteries.

GM’s Ultium battery is highly resistant to microcracking. (Image courtesy of ACS Energy Lett.)

According to the American Chemical Society, the NCMA cathode delivers a capacity of 228 mAh g^–1 while also offering long-term cycling stability. The cathode improves cycling stability, battery life, and the thermal stability of the cathode—all contributing to a safer battery. Due to deintercalation and enhanced intrinsic mechanical strength, the battery minimizes microcrack nucleation and propagation, which in turn leads to less internal erosion, crack and deformation.

The NCMA battery chemistry is packed in large, pouch-style cells incorporated in smart modules to minimize complexity, reduce part counts, simplify cooling needs, and eliminate nearly 90 percent of the battery pack wiring.

The cells can be stacked vertically or horizontally inside the battery pack, which allows engineers to optimize battery energy storage and layout for each vehicle design. In the new LYRIQ, the battery is placed at a lower center of gravity with a 50/50 weight distribution for a more sporty and responsive design.

The new battery can travel up to 300 miles or more on a full charge, with 0 to 60 mph acceleration in as little as 3 seconds. With DC fast charging, the LYRIQ can charge at rates over 150 kW and Level 2 charging rates up to 19 kW².

With low cobalt chemistry as well as technological and manufacturing advancements, the battery cell will cost below $100/kWh.

The crossover aims to redefine the car world over the next decade with a new portfolio of transformative EVs.

The 33-inch-diagonal advanced LED screen spans the entire viewing area of the driver and incorporates driver information details, infotainment controls as well as camera views.

The vehicle will also offer an updated Super Cruise3, which is the industry’s first truly hands-free driver assistance feature. LYRIQ can travel on more than 200,000 miles of enabled roads and change lanes on demand.

With new road noise cancellation technology, the minimalistic car blocks unwanted sounds and allows for a quieter in-cabin experience. It also introduces more microphones, accelerometers and AKG speakers.

“We will deliver experiences that engage the senses, anticipate desires, and enable our customers to go on extraordinary journeys,” said Steve Carlisle, executive vice president and president of GM North America.