South Korea’s LG Energy Solution (LGES) has entered into a five-year battery supply agreement with U.S.-based electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian. The deal, announced on Friday, will see LGES provide Rivian with advanced cylindrical batteries for its upcoming R2 model, set to be released in the North American market.
Under the terms of the agreement, LGES, which already supplies batteries to major automakers including Tesla, General Motors, and Hyundai, will deliver a total of 67 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of batteries over the next five years. These batteries will be produced at LGES’s dedicated battery plant in Arizona.
The cylindrical battery cells, known for their high energy density and cost efficiency, are becoming increasingly popular in the automotive industry as manufacturers seek to enhance the driving range of electric vehicles (EVs). Rivian’s R2 model will benefit from these advanced cells, which are expected to provide a longer range while reducing the number of cells required to achieve the desired battery pack capacity.
The shift to larger cylindrical cells follows a trend set by industry leaders like Tesla and is now being adopted by other automakers, including Mercedes-Benz. By using larger cells, manufacturers can improve energy storage efficiency and reduce overall production costs, which is critical as the EV market continues to grow.
This deal further solidifies LGES’s position as a key player in the EV battery sector, reinforcing its relationships with major global automakers while helping to accelerate the transition to electric mobility in North America. The agreement is also a significant step forward for Rivian, as the company continues to ramp up production of its electric vehicles in a competitive and rapidly evolving market.