The Ford Mustang Mach-E electric crossover will gain a new lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery in Europe that, Ford says, will help to make its EVs more “affordable and accessible” to customers.
Planned to be sold alongside the existing Mach-E both in the UK and on the continent, which features a nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) battery set-up, the models equipped with an LFP battery will last longer, benefit from lower costs and charge faster, Ford says.
These LFP batteries will also feature on the Ford F-150 Lightning pick-up next year, before moving on to power a host of next-generation electric passenger and commercial vehicles.
Ford claims LFP batteries are more durable than their NCM counterparts and will use fewer in-demand, expensive materials. The move will also reduce the US firm’s reliance on “critical materials”, including nickel and cobalt.
“Ford’s electric vehicle line-up has generated huge demand. We’re delivering on our commitments as we scale LFP and NCM batteries and thousands, and soon millions, of customers will begin to reap the benefits of Ford EVs with cutting-edge, durable battery technologies that are growing more affordable over time,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO.
The move comes as Ford looks to localise its battery supply chain, as it ramps up to produce a target of 600,000 EVs by the end of 2023, and two million by the end of 2026.
Ford’s own LFP batteries will later be produced from a brand-new, $3.5 billion (£2.87bn) LFP battery plant in Michigan, US. The Blue Oval Battery Park is slated to open in 2026 and is part of the company’s $50bn (£41bn) Ford+ plan, which will drive its shift to all-electric power.
“We are committed to leading the electric vehicle revolution, and that means investing in the technology and jobs that will keep us on the cutting edge of this global transformation in our industry,” said Bill Ford, Ford executive chair.
The price of the model in the UK has risen significantly over the past 12 months. As of February 2023, prices begin at £50,830 in the UK, having started from £42,450 in early 2022. Range-topping GT variants are priced at £74,540, up from £66,200.
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' Will last longer , benefit from lower costs & charge faster' but still be sold alongside the current car... I am presuming 'benefit from lower costs does not mean the price of the car otherwise why would anyone buy the old version??