DETROIT—General Motors has created a new position to bolster its EV presence. The automaker has hired Kurt Kelty, a globally recognized battery expert and former Panasonic and Tesla executive, to be vice president of batteries, reporting to GM President Mark Reuss.
Kelty will be in charge of GM’s battery cell strategy and a new end-to-end approach. This will include the use of raw materials, research, developing and investing in new technology, commercialization of cells and packs, and end of life opportunities. His team will be responsible for a critical piece of GM’s electrification strategy, bringing together the company’s already robust battery development resources with industry expertise to more quickly deliver profitable, lower-cost, higher performing electric vehicles.