Normal Motors has hired battery skilled and ex-Tesla govt Kurt Kelty to be the automaker’s new vp of batteries — a model new function for the corporate. His first day shall be February 19.
Kelty will be a part of GM at a time when the corporate has struggled to increase the output of the battery packs for its new Ultium platform, which is meant to energy its next-generation electrical autos.
“The foundation that GM has established coupled with Kurt’s exceptional battery expertise in leading battery chemistry development, establishing partnerships, building out supply chains and partnering closely with teams that have developed leading battery systems will help us achieve our electrification goals and position GM as a leader in EV technology,” GM president Mark Reuss mentioned in an announcement.
Kelty spent greater than a decade as the pinnacle of Tesla’s battery staff. He was there by means of the launch of Tesla’s first 4 automobiles: The Roadster, Mannequin S, Mannequin X, and Mannequin 3. He additionally used to work at Panasonic, Tesla’s companion in cell improvement on the Gigafactory in Nevada.
Extra lately, he was the vp of commercialization at Sila Nanotechnologies, an organization based by early Tesla worker Gene Berdichevsky that has been growing a silicon-based anode that may dramatically enhance the vitality density of lithium-ion batteries.
