Battery It is the heart of the electric vehicle And although almost all of them work in a similar way, there are major differences in the chemical components they use to generate the electric current. Lithium, nickel or manganese are the most commonalthough in recent years the use of iron phosphates has gained increasing strength.
LFP (Lithium Ferrum Phosphate, lithium-iron phosphate or LiFePO₄) batteries are a variant of the conventional lithium battery, in which this material is replaced by iron phosphate sheets that are concentrated in the positive pole or cathode. This chemistry has some advantages and disadvantages compared to the others.
What are LFP batteries for electric cars and what is their composition?
LFP batteries for electric vehicles, also known as lithium iron phosphate batteries or LiFePO₄, are a type of lithium-ion battery that is increasingly used in electric cars. The main feature that distinguishes them from other lithium-ion batteries, such as NCA (lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide) and NMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide), is their chemical composition.
Instead of using cobalt or nickel, LFP batteries use iron phosphate for the cathode, which provides significant advantages in terms of thermal stability and longevityThis composition also makes LFP batteries cheaper to produce and safer in extreme heat conditions.
Key advantages of LFP batteries for electric vehicles
Fuente: Recurrent Auto
Cost savings: One of the main advantages of LFP batteries, especially from an industrial point of view, It is its lower production cost. The use of iron phosphate, which is cheaper than nickel and cobalt (and more abundant), reduce the price per kWh of these batteries at approximately $98.50 (89.92 euros), compared to $120.30 (109.54 euros) for NCA batteries and $112.70 (102.88 euros at the current exchange rate) for NMC batteries.
Longer lifespan: LFP batteries have a significantly longer lifespanbeing able to withstand 2-4 times more charge and discharge cycles than NMC batteriesThis makes them ideal for electric vehicles, as they can remain operational for longer without needing replacement. For example, after 3,000 charge and discharge cycles, an LFP battery still has 80% of its nominal charge available.
Thermal stability and safety: LFP batteries are more heat-resistant and have a higher thermal runaway temperature (270°C) compared to NMC (210°C) and NCA (150°C) batteries. This feature reduces the risk of fires and makes these batteries safer for use in electric vehicles.
Lower environmental and ethical impact: By avoiding the use of cobalt and nickel, LFP batteries have a lower environmental and ethical impact. The extraction of cobalt and nickel is associated with human rights and environmental issues, especially in countries such as the Congo and Russia. In addition, LFP batteries produce 15% to 25% less emissions carbon compared to NMC batteries.
Fuente: New York Post
Main disadvantages of LFP batteries
Lower energy density: LFP batteries have an energy density of approximately 30% lower than NCA and NMC batteriesThis means that to achieve the same range, a larger and heavier battery is needed, which can affect the performance and efficiency of the vehicle. This lower density results in slightly lower voltages, making them not the most suitable batteries for high-performance cars.
Worse performance at low temperatures: In cold climates, LFP batteries can experience a significant reduction in capacity and charging speed. At temperatures below -20°C, battery capacity can be reduced by up to half, negatively affecting vehicle range in winter conditions.
Current and future adoption of LFP batteries for electric cars
Although LFPs represent approximately 21% of the battery market for electric vehicles today, they are expected to account for 38% by 2026. Among the first electric vehicle manufacturers to adopt them, due to their economic and safety advantages, There are Tesla, Ford, Rivian or GM.
For example, Tesla uses LFP batteries in its standard-range Model 3 and Model Y, while Renault has used them in its Renault 5 E-Tech and Ford brought them to its Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 LightningIn the future, more manufacturers are expected to adopt this technology.
Among others, BMW has already announced that it will start using LFP batteries in 2025, and Volkswagen plans to incorporate them in its ID.2 model. Production and supply of these batteries are also on the rise, with manufacturers such as CATL, SK Innovation and Gotion expanding their production capacities.
LFP batteries offer a combination of cost, safety and durability advantages that make them an attractive option for the electric vehicle industry. Despite some disadvantages such as lower energy density and poorer low-temperature performance, their benefits significantly outweigh these drawbacks for many applications.
The growing adoption of this technology by major automotive manufacturers suggests that LFP batteries will play a crucial role in the future expansion of the electric vehicle market, providing a safer, more economical and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Find your ideal electric car
If you’ve thought about buying an electric car, this will interest you. We have created the Personalised Electric Car Recommender, where, in addition to seeing the models that suit your needs, you will also have answers to the questions that may concern you the most, such as price, range or nearby charging points.
Source: www.motorpasion.com
