Tesla plans to use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in an affordable electric vehicle (EV) and a semi-heavy electric truck, which are not only cheaper but also pose less of a fire risk.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a strong advocate of LFP battery technology, declaring in March that “the vast majority of the heavy lifting for electrification will be iron-based cells.”
On April 5, Tesla revealed plans to start deploying lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries on short-range Semi light trucks, however, no launch date was specified.
One of the key reasons Musk and other LFP aficionados are interested in iron is that it is both cheap and plentiful. These two advantages outweigh the downsides of the batteries’ higher weight and lower capacity, resulting in a shorter range than nickel-based batteries.
Tesla isn’t the only carmaker betting on LFP batteries. In February, Ford Motors announced plans to use LFP batteries in its Mustang Mach-E later this year, while its F-150 Lightning model will receive them as an option next year.
Several factors are causing miners to ramp up exploration projects in North America, including ever-rising demand for EVs and government initiatives in Canada and the US to boost the domestic supply of battery metals, particularly lithium.
At present, the only producing lithium mine in the US is Silver Peak in Nevada, but other projects have been progressing since the recent push including the start of construction at the Thacker Pass lithium mine, also in Nevada.
The Canadian government also recently approved the James Bay Lithium Project in Quebec, which includes an estimated 40.3 million tonnes (Mt) of lithium oxide (Li2O) and 37.2 Mt of ore reserves. With this approval, Canada hopes to gain credibility in the lithium supply fight.
