General Motors and Honda said they will jointly develop two electric vehicles for Honda, based on GM's global EV platform powered by its Ultium batteries. The exteriors and interiors of the new EVs will be designed by Honda, and the platform will be engineered to support Honda's driving character.

Vehicles will be manufactured at GM plants in North America, according to a statement. Sales are expected to begin in the 2024 model year in Honda's U.S. and Canadian markets.

GM and Honda have an ongoing relationship around electrification. This includes work on fuel cells and the Cruise Origin, an electric, self-driving and shared vehicle. Honda joined GM's battery module development efforts in 2018.

The automaker said that discussions are underway with one additional party that could join the partnership.

As part of the agreement, Honda will incorporate GM's OnStar safety and security services into the two EVs, integrating them with HondaLink. Additionally, Honda plans to make GM's hands-free advanced driver-assist technology available.

Platform and batteries

In early March, GM rolled out its modular EV platform and Ultium batteries. The automaker said it planned 19 different battery and drive unit configurations, including horizontal and vertical stacks, to power a range of vehicle types.

General Motors and Honda said they will jointly develop two electric vehicles for Honda, based on GM's global EV platform powered by its Ultium batteries. Credit: GMThe EV battery cells will be produced at a $2.3 billion joint-venture plant that GM and LG Chem plan to build in Lordstown, Ohio. Site assessments and the permitting process for the plant have begun, and groundbreaking is expected this spring.

The Ultium battery system is based on a newly developed chemistry for lithium-ion cells that is intended to reduce battery cost and improve performance. EVs typically make use of an NMC chemistry that is made up of nickel, manganese and cobalt coatings on the cathodes.

The Ultium cells add aluminum to the chemistry, enabling the cobalt content to be reduced by 70%.