4th-gen EV platform integrates battery and drive unit

Energy density 33% higher than LFP at similar cost

New drive unit cuts component count by 40%

GM presents technology related to its fourth-generation EV platform at the 'GM Forward' event. [GM]
GM presents technology related to its fourth-generation EV platform at the 'GM Forward' event. [GM]

General Motors has unveiled the development direction of its fourth-generation electric vehicle platform, which integrates the battery, electric drive system and centralized computing into a unified architecture.

GM announced the platform at its "GM Forward" event held in New York on Oct. 21 (local time).

The fourth-generation EV platform focuses on designing the entire vehicle as a single system, going beyond incremental improvements to individual components. Based on early development assessments, GM said combining the new lithium manganese-rich, or LMR, prismatic battery with an electric drive unit and aerodynamic improvements could extend driving range by about 20 percent per kilowatt-hour of energy compared with current vehicles.

The LMR battery — the platform's core component — is intended for major EV segments where range, durability and price competitiveness matter most. GM is designing the battery to achieve energy density 33 percent higher than lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, batteries at a comparable cost, allowing a smaller, lighter battery pack to deliver longer range. LMR prismatic cells will be produced at the Spring Hill, Tennessee factory of Ultium Cells, a joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution.

The new drive unit miniaturizes the motor and power electronics while cutting the number of internal components by 40 percent compared with current units. GM said this would reduce vehicle weight while freeing up more space for passengers and cargo, and that the lower component count is also expected to bring down production costs.

Centralized computing underpins energy management and software-driven feature improvements. The new electrical and computing architecture reduces the number of control modules and wiring compared with current EVs while improving the responsiveness of displays and voice controls. GM said the architecture also provides a foundation for continuously enhancing features such as Super Cruise and OnStar.

GM plans to integrate the LMR battery, new drive system and centralized computing into a single platform to simultaneously improve range, space efficiency and price competitiveness. The company also intends to extend the fourth-generation EV platform across major vehicle segments, giving more customers the opportunity to choose an electric vehicle.

Meanwhile, GM participated in the FISITA World Mobility Summit 2026, held over two days beginning Nov. 4 at Rolling Hills Hotel in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, where it discussed key industry challenges and future directions with global mobility leaders.


eyre@heraldcorp.com