GM, Peak Energy partner on sodium-ion grid batteries — SkimNews

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- GM partnered with Peak Energy to develop next-generation sodium-ion battery cells at its Michigan labs, retaining exclusive manufacturing rights for grid-scale energy storage.
- Peak Energy will integrate GM's sodium-ion cells into its passively cooled battery storage systems, aiming to reduce energy storage costs by 20% compared to conventional LFP systems.
- GM Ventures led a $108 million oversubscribed Series B funding round for Peak Energy, joined by LG Technology Ventures and other investors as of October 23, 2026.
- Peak Energy claims its passively cooled sodium-ion platform eliminates the need for active cooling equipment, reducing complexity and increasing system uptime to over 99%.
- Kurt Kelty, GM’s vice president of battery and sustainability, stated that sodium-ion is the right solution for stationary storage due to cost, safety, and reliability advantages over lithium-ion.
Why it matters: Utilities and data centers gain access to a potentially 20% cheaper, more efficient grid storage solution, while GM secures a strategic foothold in stationary energy storage without diverting lithium resources from EVs—shifting battery innovation toward application-specific design.
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