LFP Battery Cells - Is This Going To Be An Option (or future direction)?

[MIDgrid]

Changing to another battery chemistry doesn't necessarily mean Slate needs to change suppliers.

electrive: SK On to manufacture LFP battery cells

Given a choice, I would prefer LFP for additional safety and lifetime (charger cycles) over the NCM chemistry that Slate has announced. And maybe SK On will be able to minimize the energy density reduction/vehicle range reduction penalty:

“We are developing high-performance LFP batteries with high energy density and fast charging speed, based on our technological capabilities that have led the market for high energy density NCM batteries,” Yoon Hyung-jo, SK On’s head of planning, told an investor conference.

Slate has already indicated it is taking another look at battery suppliers since the slowdown in EV sales has made additional EV battery production capacity available. And SK On is planning to start production of LFP battery cells at their Georgia plant in the second half of 2026.

 

[GaRailroader]

Heck, perhaps instead of having 2 choices of standard battery or extended range, they could use LFPs and come in with about a 200 mile range as the only choice in the extended range battery pack.

 

[MIDgrid]

Heck, perhaps instead of having 2 choices of standard battery or extended range, they could use LFPs and come in with about a 200 mile range as the only choice in the extended range battery pack.

Great idea - and by the way, it's my understanding that the battery case is the same size regardless of standard or extended range; the standard option cell count doesn't completely fill the case but the additional cells for the extended range do.

 

[KevinRS]

I think that announcing that extended range was going down from 240 to 200 might not be a popular decision. NMC is probably locked in for initial production, but they might later switch the standard range to something like a 200 mile LFP, as LFP is generally cheaper.

 

[AZFox]

I think that announcing that extended range was going down from 240 to 200 might not be a popular decision. NMC is probably locked in for initial production, but they might later switch the standard range to something like a 200 mile LFP, as LFP is generally cheaper.

What makes you think they'd use heavier batteries and increase capacity?

Bear in mind that load capacity decreases when battery weight increases.

Given that the LFP batteries have more usable range (as a practical matter), I think offering the same 150-mile capacity could be enough improvement.

Edit:
By "more usable range" I'm suggesting that charging to 100% every night instead of 80% would improve day-to-day usable range.

 

[Dorbiman]

What makes you think they'd use heavier batteries and increase capacity?

LFP is generally cheaper to produce than NMC, so it may be possible to maintain cost and increase range. We already know that the 150 mile NMC pack does not use all the space available, so a less energy dense solution may fit just fine. Not saying it's likely, but I definitely think it's possible

 

[AZFox]

LFP is generally cheaper to produce than NMC, so it may be possible to maintain cost and increase range.

Ah, that makes sense.
Remember to consider weight.
Some advantages of NMC's lighter weight:

• Higher payload capacity
• Extra distance per kWh
• Faster acceleration
• Shorter braking distance
• Less wear on tires and suspension
• Better handling

They're advantages Standard Range has over Extended Range, too, because Extended will weigh 302 pounds more (unless something changes).

 

[ScooterAsheville]

I could see them moving to LFP because I'm wagering right now Slate is fighting a really tough battle to deliver a vehicle at a cost that appeals. They need to get much closer to $20K than $30K if they're goiing to have any chance of stealing large numbers of buyers away from Ford.

Keep in mind that Slate isn't battling new Mavericks. They're battling used Mavericks. You can now get a lightly used hybrid Maverick, much more fully equipped than any Slate, for less money. With a powertrain warranty that goes 5 years or 50,000 miles.

Slate is lifting a heavy load. I'm cheering for them. I have extra admiration for the Slate team because I know they know what a tough battle they're fighting.

 

[Masterducker]

Not only will they have the Hybrid Maverick to contend with, but Fords new 2027 30K budget EV, that they are touting as fast as hell, and an in cab digital experience as we have never seen before. 30K for a barebones single cab vs 30K for a tricked out 4 door is a tough comparison.

 

[Dorbiman]

The 4 door isn't helping the Ford offering at all, at least for me.

 

[AZFox]

The 4 door isn't helping the Ford offering at all, at least for me.

Nor is the Ford EV's whiz-bang "digital experience" CEO Jim Farley says "no one’s seen, even in China".

It's a very different from the Truck because it's "really not a pickup", whatever that means.

Reference: Car and Driver article
Ford’s Future $30K EV Truck Is 'Really Not a Pickup,' Says CEO Jim Farley

 

[Letas]

Nor is the Ford EV's whiz-bang "digital experience" CEO Jim Farley says "no one’s seen, even in China".

It's a very different from the Truck because it's "really not a pickup", whatever that means.

Reference: Car and Driver article
Ford’s Future $30K EV Truck Is 'Really Not a Pickup,' Says CEO Jim Farley

Sort of like how the Slate is a car with a pickup bed?

 

[Dorbiman]

Hah, that conversation again.

The Truck seems like a truck to me, though that was a fun conversation, though leaning a bit too far into the semantics of it all for me.

 

[sodamo]

Nor is the Ford EV's whiz-bang "digital experience" CEO Jim Farley says "no one’s seen, even in China".

It's a very different from the Truck because it's "really not a pickup", whatever that means.

Reference: Car and Driver article
Ford’s Future $30K EV Truck Is 'Really Not a Pickup,' Says CEO Jim Farley

so who here has seen it? Apparently Masterducker?

 

[AZFox]

Sort of like how the Slate is a car with a pickup bed?

Sort of.

The Ford will be "more spacious than a RAV4".

I think it'll be similar to the Explorer Sport Trac of the past -- an SUV with a small bed in the back.

Other than price (possibly) and the Ford being pickup-ish, they'll be pretty different from one another.

The Ford doesn't appeal to me at all. YMMV.