GM Repurposes EV Battery Plants for Grid Storage as AI Data Centers Strain Power Supply

General Motors is converting idle battery capacity into sodium-ion cells for grid storage—a cheaper, more abundant alternative to lithium. The move targets surging power demands from AI data centers, filling a gigawatt-hour shortage that traditional power suppliers cannot meet quickly. Sodium-ion suits stationary storage better than vehicle drivetrains, positioning legacy automakers within the utility supply chain.