Ford adds LFP chemistry to its EV battery portfolio; CATL to supply battery packs
Ford Motor Company has announced that CATL will provide full LFP battery packs for its popular Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightnings models in North America starting next year.
Both the companies have signed a separate non-binding MoU to explore cooperation for supplying batteries in Ford's markets across China, Europe and North America.
The automaker has also announced plans to localize and use 40 GWh of LFP capacity in North America starting in 2026.
Ford says that its EV architecture's flexibility allows efficient incorporation of CATL's prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell-to-pack technology, delivering incremental capacity quickly to scale and meet customer demand.
This is the first time Ford is adding LFP cell chemistry to its EV battery portfolio, alongside its existing nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) chemistry, following other major Western automakers including Tesla.
Ford reiterated that it will continue to leverage its long-standing connection with LG Energy Solution (LGES) and its strategic relationship with SK On to meet its battery capacity target for late 2023.
Recently, LGES was reported to have doubled its capacity at its Wroclaw, Poland, facility to support incremental NCM cell production for Ford Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit models.
SK On, on the other hand, is said to have adequate installed capacity to support the scaling of Ford F-150 Lightning and E-Transits through late 2023.
The cell maker has already scaled its NCM cell production beyond earlier-planned levels from its Atlanta facility in the US, along with the existing supply from its plant in Hungary.
