F-150 Lightning getting LFP battery in 2024

[Electric Rivilution]

Ford just announced a new LFP battery plant is going up in Michigan and that the Lightning will be equipped with LFP batteries starting next year.

Official: $3.5B Ford LFP Battery Plant Coming to Michigan. Lightning Receives LFP Batteries Starting 2024

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...6b-ford-lfp-battery-plant-coming-to-michigan/

Sponsored

 

[VSG]

The title is a little misleading. Reading about this new battery plant, it says "Initial production slated for 2026".

The interesting part to me is:
"Even before the new battery plant opens, Ford will introduce LFP batteries on Mustang Mach-E this year and F-150 Lightning in 2024 to increase production capacity, with a goal of reducing wait times for customers."

To me that sounds like Ford is facing severe supply constraints, and acknowledging that it is having trouble meeting its production goals. Accelerating its plan to switch to LFP even before it has the battery plant is a really significant move by Ford. I wonder how much of this is influence by the battery sourcing requirements for the IRA tax credit?

 

[zefram47]

Much like Rivian, I'd expect LFP to only be available on the smallest battery. The energy density of LFP is less than NMC cylindrical cells or the NMC pouch cells that Ford currently uses.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Much like Rivian, I'd expect LFP to only be available on the smallest battery. The energy density of LFP is less than NMC cylindrical cells or the NMC pouch cells that Ford currently uses.

Recently published EPA docs for the certification of the EDV Models claim the EDV uses a 94.7 kWh LFP battery. That same doc claims they can DC charge up to 210 kW.

I really wish Rivian had gone with 800V batteries.

 

[pc500]

I really don't think LFP is a better technology, is it? It's just more cost effective.

 

[Prime]

I really don't think LFP is a better technology, is it? It's just more cost effective.

You can charge to 100% without concern of battery degradation. Less energy dense but cheaper to produce.

 

[zipzag]

You can charge to 100% without concern of battery degradation. Less energy dense but cheaper to produce.

Plus it can be ordered from China. LFP is really the only way these companies can add additional production. More battery cycles is another benefit.

Rivian may be able to use the additional modules space needed for max pack to make a 300 mile LFP version.

It's probably safe to cycle LFP daily and use it in place of a solar battery

 

[pc500]

You can charge to 100% without concern of battery degradation. Less energy dense but cheaper to produce.

Interesting. Certainly easier to use in commercial operaitons without pre-planning.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Interesting. Certainly easier to use in commercial operaitons without pre-planning.

LFP has a lot higher cycle life too.

 

[pc500]

LFP has a lot higher cycle life too.

Is that cycle life relevant in the 300 mile range EV with cooling anymore? We'd kill Leafs when we full charged them nightly, but 800 cycles * 300 miles... maybe a commercial problem.

 

[DuoRivians]

Fleet trucks with LFP batteries make a lot of sense. These trucks are usually within a designated area, and charge locally. It makes sense that both Rivian and Ford are offering trucks with them

 

[Dark-Fx]

Is that cycle life relevant in the 300 mile range EV with cooling anymore? We'd kill Leafs when we full charged them nightly, but 800 cycles * 300 miles... maybe a commercial problem.

Sure, degradation won't happen as quickly because of it. If the battery still has a pretty decent amount of life left when you're done with the vehicle for other reasons, they can be repurposed with very minimal effort as renewables storage.

 

[zefram47]

Recently published EPA docs for the certification of the EDV Models claim the EDV uses a 94.7 kWh LFP battery. That same doc claims they can DC charge up to 210 kW.

Noted...though EDV certainly has a lot more room for a physically larger pack and would expect those vehicles to deep cycle more on some routes.

 

[pc500]

Noted...though EDV certainly has a lot more room for a physically larger pack and would expect those vehicles to deep cycle more on some routes.

My guess is the EDV isn't designed for range or deep-deep cycle. Amazon's goal isn't 100% electriciation, they simply will toss the gas trucks on the rural routes. Cost is the most material factor.

I'm sure we'll see larger packs when the commercial market expands beyond short-range delivery.

 

[Goose]

Sure, degradation won't happen as quickly because of it. If the battery still has a pretty decent amount of life left when you're done with the vehicle for other reasons, they can be repurposed with very minimal effort as renewables storage.

So it sounds like those of us that like to keep our vehicles for many years LFP battery technology would be best for us. Does that sound about right?

Sponsored