Ford’s New LFP Batteries to be Tested on 2023 Mach-E and 2024 F-150 Lightning

Photo Source: Ford 

There are two kinds of electric vehicle users: the ones who desire massive range and power and require a battery that can cope with it, and those who travel the same daily commute regularly and are just searching for an automobile that is swift to charge, dependable, and affordable. As of February 2023, Ford declared that it is adding a second battery chemistry to provide consumers options and to get more electric vehicles on the road faster, reducing the long waiting lists for its in-demand electric vehicles. 

Indeed, beginning in the spring of the 2023 model year, Ford will add a second and more affordable battery that will replace the standard battery in the lower trim level of the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV. It will be offered in the lower trim of the Ford F-150 Lightning electric full-size pickup in 2024. Current electric vehicles rely on nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries, and Ford presents a selection of a standard or extended-range battery in the Mach-E and F-150 Lightning.

Michigan Batteries

As proposed by the automaker, the strategy is to add a second, lower-cost battery chemistry to the equation: lithium iron phosphate or LFP batteries, and Ford will make them at a new assembly plant in Michigan. The core difference between the two is that nickel manganese cobalt batteries possess a higher density, thus making them the ideal choice for the more robust Mach-E GT or the F-150 Lightning owner, who drives long distances and has use for hauling and towing. 

In contrast, lithium iron phosphate batteries are much more suitable for the numerous retail customers who drive along the same route consistently, averaging around 32 miles a day in a Mach-E or 28 miles a day in an F-150 Lightning. The batteries are excellently durable and function to the highest degree when charged 100 percent. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are more cost-effective because they do not depend upon cobalt, nickel, or manganese, all unique materials that are particularly costly while also in high demand. 

Testing Affordable Batteries on Base Trims

As mentioned, as the standard-range option, the company will begin installing lithium iron phosphate batteries in the Select trim of the Mach-E SUV in spring 2023. The lower-cost and range battery will go to the XLT trim of the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck in 2024. The decision was not made lightly, as it will not only meet the manufacturer’s battery needs for the electric vehicle tidal wave of automobiles to come, but it will also accommodate the growing demand for electric vehicles that charge at a faster rate and are more reasonably priced. 

To help speed things up a notch, Ford proclaimed that an all-new battery plant is in the works in its home state of Michigan. It will be operational in 2026 and will employ 2,500 people. In the meantime, the Blue Oval will collaborate with CATL, a prominent battery company.

Chinese Alliance

Ford will run the plant but utilize technology, expertise, and equipment from CATL. Once the Michigan plant is built, though, Ford will license the technology from CATL and manufacture the new cells in the United States. To be clear, Ford already has it in mind to invest $50 billion in electric vehicles by 2026 and has set global goals of constructing 600,000 electric cars annually by the end of 2023, planning to increase the capacity to 2 million electric vehicles by 2026, with a direct challenge aimed at Tesla. 

Ford undoubtedly has creative notions for the immediate future, but for now, please visit NYE Ford to get a good look at the 2023 Mach-E and the 2023 F-150 Lightning, along with our wide array of new vehicles and quality used vehicles. We can help sell your current vehicle or bring it back to life like new with an online service appointment to our service center. Allow our professional technicians to get started on all repairs or maintenance work.