Ford focuses on LFP batteries to increase electric production

Ford has an ambitious electrification plan and has confirmed that it intends to get to produce 600,000 electric cars per year by the end of 2023. This also means having to have an adequate supply of cells. For this, the American car manufacturer has entered into several agreements to be able to count on a supply of LFP type batteries (lithium-iron-phosphate) which will complement the NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) type accumulators already used today inside its cars.

Ford has reportedly secured contracts for an annual supply of 60 GWh of cells to meet its target of 600,000 electric cars per year by the end of 2023. For example, CATL will supply LFP battery packs for Mustang Mach-E models for North America starting next year and for F-150 Lightning pickups early 2024.

Ford is also taking advantage of its long-standing relationship with LG Energy Solution and its strategic relationship with SK On to achieve its goal by the end of 2023. LG Energy Solution is increasing the production of NCM cells at its plant in Poland that will be used for the battery packs of the Mustang Mach-E and E- models. Transit.

Also SK On the production of NCM cells that will be used for the F-150 Lightning and E-Transit models is increasing. Ford’s electric production targets for 2023 are as follows:

• 270,000 Mustang Mach-E for North America, Europe and China
• 150,000 F-150 Lightning for North America
• 150,000 E-Transits for North America and Europe
• 30,000 units of a brand new SUV for Europe

But that’s not all why for 2026Ford has set itself the goal of producing annually 2 million electric vehicles. Currently, the house of the blue oval has secured 70% of the necessary supply of batteries to achieve this goal. Ford also announced that it plans to locate production of 40 GWh of LFP-type cells in North America starting in 2026.

The manufacturer then signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with CATL to explore cooperation for the supply of batteries in Ford’s markets in China, Europe and North America. The company then added that it is working with major mining partners and has purchased most of the nickel needed until 2026 and beyond.