General Motors is developing sodium-ion cells with Denver startup Peak Energy for stationary energy storage. GM battery executive Kurt Kelty told CNBC the company aims to have a U.S. supply chain in two to three years, a step GM says could reduce U.S. reliance on China.
GM says the cells can operate across a wider temperature range and endure more cycles than incumbent chemistries. The program remains at an early stage and does not directly address the company's near-term EV-battery challenges.
Ford's contrasting strategy pairs its company-owned and operated battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, with technology licensed from China's CATL. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Republican lawmakers have criticized that relationship. China controls about 98% of LFP cathode materials, so U.S. cell production alone would not eliminate supply-chain exposure. Insider Monkey's database counted 75 hedge funds with GM positions in Q2, down from 77 in Q1; their position value fell to $4.87 billion from $6.08 billion. Ford's count remained at 50, while its position value slipped to $1.02 billion from $1.12 billion.
