GM Unveils Ultium Electric Drive Units For Upcoming EVs
General Motors showed off its Ultium electric drive units this week, ones that will go into the next generation of EVs including the electric Hummer models and the Cadillac Lyriq crossover, among others. The automaker's development of the drive units and batteries has been the subject of much buzz over the summer, as GM slowly revealed plans for its next generation of electric vehicles amid growing stock market enthusiasm for EV technology.
Following new details about its battery plans, the automaker revealed images of five drive units that will power upcoming front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. Ultium Drive, as GM calls it, will pair electric motors with single-speed transmissions and Ultium batteries. The power electronics will be integrated into the assemblies of the drive units, reducing the mass of the power electronics by almost 50 percent compared to the automaker's previous-gen EV drive units. The drive units themselves will be powered by one or more of the three electric motors, one of which will be a primary front-wheel drive motor that could be set up for front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, in addition to an all-wheel drive assist motor.
"General Motors’ next-generation EVs are expected to be powered by a family of five interchangeable drive units and three motors, known collectively as 'Ultium Drive,'" the automaker said. "Ultium Drive will help the company transition its current portfolio to a fully electric lineup, providing significant advantages over GM’s previous EVs in performance, scale, speed to market and manufacturing efficiencies."
The automaker took the wraps off the Cadillac Lyriq EV concept a few weeks ago, previewing the first battery-electric crossover from the brand that will go into production in late 2022 with the Ultium drivetrain and battery technology. GM indicated that the Lyriq will have a range of over 300 miles, and will feature DC-fast charging rates above 150 Kilowatts. The crossover will be offered with rear-wheel drive in base spec, but will, of course, offer all-wheel drive as an option.
The battery of the Lyriq, meanwhile, is expected to land at the 100 kWh mark, and will feature nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum composition. But a year before the Lyriq enters production, we'll see Ultium drive units and batteries in the Hummer EV, scheduled to enter production next year along with a large number of other electric truck competitors.
"GM has built transmissions for many notable automakers," said Ken Morris, GM vice president, Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Programs. "Making motors, transmissions, driveline components and systems are among GM’s best-known competencies, and our manufacturing expertise is proving not only transferable but advantageous as we make the transition to EVs."
