Ford’s 2023 Mach-E and 2024 F-150 Lightning to Receive Brand New Batteries

Photo Source: Ford 

There are two types of electric vehicle consumers: the ones who seek enormous range and power and depend upon a battery that can deal with it, and those who travel the same daily commute regularly and are simply yearning for an automobile that is dependable, inexpensive, and charges rapidly. As of February 2023, Ford confirmed that it is adding a second battery chemistry to provide customers with choices and to get more electric vehicles on the road faster, curtailing the long waiting lists for its in-demand electric vehicles. 

Indeed, starting in the spring of the 2023 model year, Ford will add a second and more reasonably-priced battery that will replace the standard battery in the lower trim level of the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV. It will be provided in the lower trim of the Ford F-150 Lightning electric full-size pickup in 2024. Current electric vehicles count on nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries, and Ford offers an option of a standard or extended-range battery in the F-150 Lightning and Mach-E.

Batteries from the Home State

As proposed by the Blue Oval, the strategy is to add a second, lower-cost battery chemistry to the equation: lithium iron phosphate or LFP batteries, and Ford will make them at a new assembly plant in Michigan. The primary distinction between the two is that nickel manganese cobalt batteries possess a higher density, making them the optimal selection for the more rugged Mach-E GT or the F-150 Lightning owner, who drives long distances and has use for hauling and towing. 

On the other hand, lithium iron phosphate batteries are much more appropriate for the various retail consumers who drive along the same route consistently, averaging around 32 miles a day in a Mach-E or 28 miles a day in an F-150 Lightning. The batteries are exceptionally durable and perform to the highest degree when charged 100 percent. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are more economical because they do not depend upon cobalt, nickel, or manganese, all unique materials that are particularly high-priced and in high demand. 

Introductory Trims and Affordable Batteries

As discussed, as the standard-range option, the automaker will begin installing lithium iron phosphate batteries in the Select trim of the Mach-E SUV in spring 2023. The lower-cost and range battery will go to the XLT trim of the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck in 2024. The decision was made with foresight, as it will not only meet the company’s battery needs for the electric vehicle tsunami of automobiles to come, but it will also make room for the growing demand for electric vehicles that charge at a quicker rate and are more affordably-priced. 

To help speed things along, Ford claimed that an all-new battery plant is being constructed in its home state of Michigan. It will be operational in 2026 and will employ 2,500 people. In the meantime, the manufacturer will join forces with CATL, a prestigious battery company.

Chinese Collaboration

Ford will run the plant but utilize expertise, technology, and equipment from CATL. Once the Michigan plant is built, though, Ford will license the technology from CATL and manufacture the new cells in the United States. To be precise, Ford is already preparing to invest $50 billion in electric vehicles by 2026 and has set global aims of building 600,000 electric cars annually by the end of 2023, planning to increase the capacity to 2 million electric vehicles by 2026, with a specific target directed squarely at Tesla. 

Ford undoubtedly has creative notions for the immediate future, but for now, please visit Sunrise Ford to get a good look at the 2023 Mach-E and the 2023 F-150 Lightning, along with our wide array of new vehicles and quality used vehicles. We can help sell your current vehicle or bring it back to life like new with an online service appointment to our service center. Allow our professional technicians to get started on all repairs or maintenance work.