General Motors (GM) is once again setting its sights on the Moon, unveiling advanced electric vehicle battery technology designed to power NASA’s upcoming Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV).
More than 50 years after GM engineers contributed to the Apollo lunar rover, the automaker has joined a team led by Lunar Outpost to compete for a NASA contract to develop the next-generation lunar rover. Unlike the Apollo-era rovers, which used limited silver-zinc batteries, the new design will feature GM’s lithium-ion NCMA batteries, adapted from models like the Chevrolet Equinox EV and GMC HUMMER EV.
“These batteries must withstand temperatures as low as -334°F and last more than a decade,” said Madhu Raghavan, group manager of GM’s battery and system architecture team. Built with fault tolerance, heavy insulation, and precision laser welding, the technology is designed for extreme lunar conditions.
Along with batteries, GM will provide chassis, suspension, and autonomous driving technologies derived from its Super Cruise system. The rover will support both crewed and uncrewed missions, including tasks such as surface mapping.
Highlighting recent progress, GM tested a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck that traveled over 1,000 miles on a single charge—showcasing the advances in range and durability.
“Battery technology has truly gone to the Moon and back,” said Kurt Kelty, GM’s vice president of battery, propulsion, and sustainability.
NASA is expected to announce later this year which rover concepts will move forward. For GM, the initiative marks both a return to its aerospace roots and a leap in EV innovation for Earth and beyond.
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