Battery technology is evolving faster than most consumers realize. GM's announcement of its new lithium manganese-rich (LMR) battery cell represents a significant shift toward more affordable, efficient electric vehicles. By replacing expensive, rare-earth materials like nickel and cobalt with more abundant manganese and utilizing a more efficient prismatic cell design, GM expects to deliver over 400 miles of range in electric trucks while substantially reducing costs. This development follows the natural progression that many industry experts predicted—as manufacturers scale up production and refine their technologies, EVs become increasingly practical and affordable.