What is the Difference Between Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) & Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) EV Batteries?

Later this year, Ford will introduce a second battery chemistry, lithium iron phosphate (LFP), to its electric vehicle lineup. Discover the distinctions between this new chemistry and Ford’s current nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) chemistry and how it will help Ford make EVs more affordable and accessible. Watch or follow along as Charles Poon, the Global Director of Electrified Systems engineering at Ford, walks through the difference between LFP & NCM batteries and the benefits of both EV battery options for the future. 

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LFP & NCM EV Batteries Explained

Charles Poon, the Global Director of Electrified Systems engineering at Ford— Today, we’re here to talk about batteries, specifically those used in Ford Electric vehicles, including a new battery chemistry coming this year that will help us make EVs more affordable and accessible. When it comes to batteries, there are differences in size, materials and chemistry. And when hundreds of battery cells are combined into a pack, these factors determine the power and performance of an electric vehicle. Today, Ford has three popular EVs, the F-150 Lightning, the Mustang Mach-E, and the E-Transit. And presently, all three are powered by Nickel Cobalt Manganese batteries, also known as NCM. Currently, an F-150 lightning with an extended range battery can travel up to an EPA-estimated 320 miles of range on one charge and also produces 580 horsepower and 775 feet of torque. The Nickel and Cobalt used in these batteries are in high demand, with limited supply making them particularly expensive. 

So later this year, Ford will introduce a new type of battery on some electric models, Lithium Iron Phosphate or LFP. LFP Batteries are made up of different materials than NCM batteries, and that creates unique performance characteristics. So you might be asking which battery should my electric vehicle have? NCM batteries have a higher power rating and energy density, which means they can travel long distances and handle greater loads, and they hold up well in colder conditions. 

Meanwhile, LFP batteries can charge faster, which means less of a wait to get back on the road. The materials in LFP batteries make it more affordable to produce and will help Ford make EVs accessible to more customers. Plus, they tend to be more durable and have a longer projected lifespan. In all of the LFP benefits are attractive for certain kinds of customers, such as business owners who run the same routes with their vehicles over and over again and charge frequently or someone who mainly uses their EV on shorter routine commutes, like dropping the kids off at school and going to work. In the Ford lineup, there’s an advantage to having both types of batteries, NCM and LFP. So what is the key takeaway? Ford is tailoring the batteries in our vehicles in a way that’s mindful of how our customers use them. So you can feel confident whenever and wherever you drive your Ford EV.

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