Ford introduced on Monday that it’s planning the set up of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries into its Mustang Mach-E beginning later in calendar yr 2023 and its F-150 Lightning in calendar yr 2024.
The shift will probably convey decrease EV costs, though that can “depend on what happens with the market,” in accordance with Ford Model E chief buyer officer Marin Gjaja.
The govt added: “The whole intent here is to make these more affordable and accessible.”
Mach-E Standard Range will get LFP cells beginning later this yr, F-150 Standard Range early subsequent yr—with the shift probably not taking place abruptly however a trim degree at a time. Extended Range and something performance-oriented will stick with the present nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry that’s utilized in these fashions at the moment.
From 2026, LFP cells for Ford merchandise will come from a Michigan battery plant established with know-how from China’s CATL. In the meantime, cells for these merchandise are more likely to come from one in all CATL’s crops in China.
Ford evaluating NCM and LFP battery sorts
Ford LFP battery advantages
Reasons behind the shift to LFP
In a presentation Monday, Ford outlined among the causes behind the shift. LFP batteries have distinctive sturdiness, they usually may also help strengthen the provision chain whereas utilizing fewer high-demand, high-cost supplies and mineral sources. Further, they are often charged from 0% to 100% day by day—one thing that’s not advisable for the NCM chemistries which are at the moment used within the F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E, and E-Transit if full vary isn’t wanted.
Ford additionally famous that due to these traits, LFP batteries are additionally a most well-liked selection for bidirectional charging, as is already provided with an F-150 Lightning house energy backup system.
On the opposite hand, LFP cells are sometimes sluggish and slower to fast-charge on the coldest ambient temperatures. They’re additionally not the most effective decide for top efficiency or the longest vary, partly as a result of they pack extra weight for a similar vitality; however as Ford emphasised within the technique under, it solely sees LFP batteries as primarily satisfying the fleet and entry-level portion of the market.
Ford multi-chemistry strategy for EV batteries
A distinct type of lithium-ion
As a subset of lithium-ion battery tech, LFP cells use lithium iron phosphate because the cathode and graphite because the electrode. These cells are far much less vulnerable to the thermal runaway that may trigger fires or degradation from overheating, however a spread of sources now counsel they final considerably longer.
LFP cells aren’t depending on nickel and cobalt, two supplies which are costly, supply-constrained, and a giant raise for the provision chain.
Roughly one-fifth of the world’s electrical automobiles are powered by LFP cells. The know-how, led by China’s BYD a decade in the past, has superior in its newest type within the BYD Blade battery, whereas CATL can also be a number one producer.
Ford evaluating battery type elements, in shift to LFP
Ford-CATL LFP prismatic cells for Mach-E, F-150 Lightning
Change in type issue, too
The battery chemistry gained’t be the one factor that adjustments in automobiles that make the shift to LFP, Ford executives famous. The battery type issue might be completely completely different, too. These fashions will use prismatic cells versus the pouch cells utilized in present fashions; they usually’ll be bigger. Ford famous, at greater than double the capability in ampere-hours.
That means much less bussing between the cells themselves, which helps mitigate among the vitality losses from these much less energy-dense cells, Ford defined.
Ford didn’t clarify additional what this implies for the long run in precise pack structure—or to what degree it probably means skipping modules or packs sooner or later. CATL, for example, has what it phrases a “disruptive” water-cooling design that allows a cell-to-pack structure with spectacular vitality densities to rival that of these costlier cell sorts.
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning
Informed by knowledge and bottom-line price
The firm did underscore that the shift to LFP cells was a part of a choice to diversify its battery choices to higher match product utilization and buyer wants.
Ford’s related car knowledge group has been learning aggregated, anonymized car knowledge to grasp how its EVs are used. And from that, it discovered the common Mustang Mach-E driver sometimes goes simply 32 miles a day, with a visit distance averaging simply 5 miles at a time. Further, 95% of Mach-E clients begin their journeys at ambient temperatures above freezing.
It says that it doesn’t have a full yr of information on F-150 Lightning use but, nevertheless it’s already seen that 89% of shoppers begin their journeys above freezing.
2022 Ford E-Transit
Ford didn’t verify that LFP batteries are additionally headed into its E-Transit supply vans quickly, however as its personal chart above confirmed, fleet automobiles appear to fulfill the profile of fashions which are charged to 100% day by day.
Source: www.greencarreports.com