Ford developing LFP batteries for electric vehicles

Are increasingly affordable electric vehicles on the way from Ford with cheaper-to-produce batteries? During a recent Q&A session, CEO Jim Farley indicated Ford is working on implementing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in its first-generation of electric vehicles (EVs), which include the Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning and E-Transit. “Yes. We’ve been working on LFP for quite some time, so let’s just leave it at that,” said Mr Farley. “What I midpoint by that is engineering LFP solutions in our first generation of products is something that we see as a big opportunity to move quickly.” This LFP shower chemistry is traditionally cheaper and safer than nickel-based batteries, but the cells are less energy dense, which ways they offer a shorter range. That could potentially point to their use in entry-level variants. LFP batteries are moreover worldly-wise to be regularly charged to 100 per cent without risking the long-term lifespan of the battery, but they aren’t as efficient in colder weather. They’re therefore seen as weightier suited to standard-range cars, heavy commercial vehicles and energy storage systems. It’s unclear at this stage where Ford would mass-produce these LFP batteries, but China is currently a specialist in the minutiae and manufacturing of LFP batteries. Tesla previously spoken it’s shifting to LFP batteries globally in its smaller standard-range vehicles, which include the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. The LFP shower used in the Model 3 and Y are currently supplied by Chinese shower giant, CATL, that has numerous manufacturing plants throughout China and one plant located in Erfurt, Germany. Besides Tesla, CATL currently produces batteries for a number of well-known automakers including BMW, Honda, Volvo and the Volkswagen Group. One main reason why LFP batteries aren’t wontedly produced outside of China is due to a slew of patents, which has unliable the country to corner the LFP market. It’s moreover unclear at this stage if the introduction of LFP batteries to Ford EVs would indulge the Blue Oval to produce the vehicles at a faster pace. With a total of 200,000 reservations once for the F-150 Lightning, Ford is currently aiming to ramp its yearly production rate for the electric pick-up to 150,000 in 2023. Currently, the Ford F-150 Lightning is sold out until 2023 at least. MORE: Electric car shower chemistry: What’s the difference? While the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning remain off-limits to Australia thus far, Ford Australia will introduce its first EV this year in the E-Transit. Ford Australia has spoken it plans to introduce five electrified vehicles by the end of 2024, including the E-Transit and E-Transit Custom electric vans, and the Escape plug-in hybrid. It has yet to personize what the others will be. In wing to the Mustang Mach-E once misogynist overseas, Ford has indicated a Ranger plug-in hybrid is in the works, and confirmed it will launch seven pure-electric vehicles in Europe by 2024. MORE: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning enters production, once sold out MORE: Ford Australia bringing five electrified vehicles by 2024