Kurt Kelty

Kurt Kelty serves at GM’s Vice President of Battery Cell and Pack. Appointed to his role in February 2024, Kelty leads GM’s comprehensive battery technology strategy and lifecycle approach, encompassing research and development (R&D), battery cell evaluation and selection, battery pack design and commercialization, and sustainability initiatives including end-of-life solutions.

A globally recognized expert in energy storage technology, Kelty brings over 30 years of experience across consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and the broader battery value chain, including roles as a material supplier, cell maker, and end-user.

Kelty began his career in lithium-ion batteries in 1993 with Panasonic, where he initially sold rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for portable applications. During his tenure, he founded and led Panasonic’s Silicon Valley battery research lab, forging key R&D partnerships between Panasonic and U.S.-based developers of batteries and fuel cells.

In 2006, Kelty joined Tesla, where he spent 11 transformative years leading the battery cell development team. He spearheaded supplier selection, quality control, technical exchanges, and commercial negotiations with global battery cell manufacturers and startups. Kelty played a pivotal role in bringing rechargeable battery production back to the U.S. with the establishment of Tesla’s first Gigafactory, the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory.

After Tesla, Kelty served as Vice President at Sila, leading the commercialization of advanced silicon anode materials. His work focused on innovations in high-energy density and fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles.

Kelty is a graduate of Swarthmore College with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a graduate of Stanford University, where he earned his Master of Science through Stanford Business School’s Sloan Program. Kelty is the author of 16 patents in the U.S. and Japan.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Kelty has served as a Board Member for Auto Motive Power (acquired by Ford) and as an Advisory Board Member for BP and other energy-focused organizations.