General Motors is racing to build battery technology free from Chinese control, investing in homegrown supply chains that could reshape America’s electric vehicle future — just as the Trump administration hammers Ford for leaning on Beijing.
Kurt Kelty, GM’s vice president of battery and sustainability, told CNBC the automaker is developing next-generation battery cells with domestic materials. “We’re developing a supply chain such that, two years from now, three years from now, it will be domestic,” Kelty said. “That’s what we’re aiming for — when we get into market, we’ve got a domestic source for that.”
Targeting Batteries Beyond Cars
GM’s immediate focus is energy storage systems — the large battery units that power homes, businesses, and data centers during outages or peak demand. The company partnered with Denver-based startup Peak Energy to develop sodium-ion battery cells, a technology that sidesteps lithium and other materials China dominates.
But GM confirmed to CNBC it plans the same domestic-first approach for electric vehicle batteries, the heart of any EV and currently the component most dependent on Chinese supply chains. If GM succeeds, American buyers could eventually drive EVs built entirely with American and allied materials — a goal that’s eluded the industry for years.
Ford Takes Heat as GM Charts Different Path
The timing matters. Days before Kelty’s comments, the Trump administration publicly criticized Ford for its ties to Chinese battery suppliers. Ford has partnered with Chinese firm CATL to produce battery cells in Michigan, a deal that’s drawn scrutiny from lawmakers worried about technology transfer and economic dependence on a strategic rival.
GM’s approach offers a stark contrast. Rather than licensing Chinese technology or partnering with Chinese firms for domestic production, GM is betting on American startups and homegrown innovation. The strategy carries risk — unproven technologies, higher upfront costs, longer development timelines — but delivers what Washington increasingly demands: separation from Beijing’s industrial base.
What It Means for American Manufacturing
For workers, GM’s plan could mean battery manufacturing jobs that stay in America rather than depending on Chinese intellectual property. For national security hawks, it’s a template for rebuilding critical supply chains. For car buyers, the question is whether GM can deliver competitive EVs without the cost advantages Chinese batteries provide.
The real test comes in two to three years, when GM’s domestic battery cells hit production. If they work and pencil out economically, GM will have proved American automakers can compete without Beijing. If they stumble, Ford’s Chinese partnerships may look smarter — even if politically riskier.
Key Points
- GM developing domestic battery cells to eliminate Chinese dependence within two to three years
- Company partnering with Denver startup on sodium-ion technology that avoids China-dominated materials
- Strategy contrasts sharply with Ford’s use of Chinese battery partners, now under Trump administration criticism
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/12/gm-us-battery-development-ford-china-ties.html – September 12, 2026
