GM’s Chinese JV to launch the first car with 6C LFP battery this year

GM’s Chinese joint venture SAIC-GM will launch the first vehicle with a 6C LFP battery this year, the company’s general manager said. This pack was jointly developed with the world’s biggest battery maker CATL. The new battery can charge 350 km of range in 10 minutes.

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SAIC-GM and CATL released the 6C LFP battery in September 2024. Representatives of two parties called this product the fastest-charging battery to date. We will clarify that 6C means the battery can charge with a power of six times the capacity. It means that a 100-kWh battery could be charged with 600 kW.

First cars with 6C battery to launch this year

On January 13, SAIC-GM general manager Lu Xiao disclosed that the first electric vehicle with a 6C battery will enter the market this year, Cls reports. The new BEV will stand on the 900-V Ultium platform, which will underpin future SAIC-GM cars. Lu Xiao highlighted that a 6C battery would be able to charge 350 km in 10 minutes.

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The 6C battery from SAIC-GM & CATL can charge 200 km in five minutes. Two parties aim to ease range anxiety for electric car users. This battery pack also aims to improve the efficiency of electrochemical reactions, enhance charging efficiency, and guarantee stable battery performance. It adopts a new cell-to-pack (CTP) design and an upgraded cooling technology.

SAIC-GM plans to substantially expand its model line in 2025-2027 by launching 12 new products: BEVs, PHEVs, and EREVs. This joint venture currently produces Buick, Chevrolet, and Cadillac cars in China. In 2024, SAIC-GM sold 526,531 cars in China. Over 68% of the JV’s sales are occupied by Buick.

There is no information about which model will first adopt a 6C LFP battery. However, there is a chance it will be a Buick-branded vehicle since it is the bestselling SAIC-GM brand in the local market.