Ford is making significant strides in the electric vehicle market with a promising new battery chemistry that is set to revolutionize the industry. The company’s top electric vehicle engineer, Charles Poon, recently announced that Ford is actively developing a game-changing lithium manganese rich (LMR) cell chemistry at its Ion Park battery research and development center in Romulus, Michigan. This breakthrough is expected to pave the way for low-cost and longer-range Ford EVs by the end of the decade.
Poon highlighted the advantages of the LMR chemistry over traditional nickel-based chemistries, including improved safety, stability, and higher energy density leading to extended driving ranges. He emphasized that Ford is on track to achieve unprecedented cost reductions, ultimately aiming to achieve true cost parity with gas-powered vehicles.
The development of LMR cells marks a significant shift for Ford, which previously focused on nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. Poon emphasized that LMR is the next step in Ford’s EV evolution and is not just a theoretical concept but a tangible technology that is being actively scaled for integration into future Ford vehicles.
While the concept of lithium-rich manganese-based cathode materials has been around for three decades, commercialization has been hindered by voltage attenuation and capacity loss issues. However, Ford’s pilot production line in Michigan suggests that the company may have found solutions to these challenges, though details remain scarce.
Ford’s current lineup includes models with LFP and NMC batteries, with plans to introduce EREV versions of its SUVs, crossovers, and the Super Duty pickup. The company is also working on new models under its “skunkworks” affordable EV project and the next generation of its electric truck, codenamed T3. The flexibility of novel battery chemistries allows for their use across various vehicle types, from hybrids to BEVs, depending on economic viability.
In conclusion, Ford’s groundbreaking work on the LMR battery chemistry underscores the company’s commitment to innovation in the EV space. With the potential for lower costs, longer ranges, and improved performance, Ford is positioning itself as a key player in the transition to electric mobility. Stay tuned for more updates on Ford’s electrification efforts as they continue to shape the future of transportation.