GM joins race to build batteries for AI data centers and the grid

GM is working on a new sodium-ion battery chemistry aimed at large-scale energy storage uses, including AI data centers, the electric grid, and GM manufacturing sites. The effort puts the automaker into a growing market for batteries that can support rising power demand beyond electric vehicles.

Automakers are increasingly treating battery expertise as a platform business, not just an EV supply chain necessity. Sodium-ion technology could gain traction for stationary storage because it may reduce reliance on costlier or more supply-constrained materials used in lithium-ion batteries.

GM is developing an entirely new sodium-ion battery chemistry for use in everything from data centers to its own factories.