DETROIT, March 17 (Reuters) - General Motors ( GM ) and

battery partner LG Energy Solution are transforming an

electric-vehicle battery plant in Tennessee to make batteries

for energy storage systems, the companies said Tuesday.

GM and LG, through their joint venture Ultium Cells, will recall

700 laid-off workers to start production of lithium-iron

phosphate batteries at the plant in the second quarter. Ultium

in January laid off workers at the Tennessee plant and at

another facility in Ohio through mid-2026 due to slower EV

sales.

Battery producers are seeking solutions to address excess EV

battery capacity, and energy storage is seen as a key option

given the growing need for energy to support upcoming AI data

centers.