Tesla Inc. intends to install iron-based batteries in a version of an affordable electric vehicle and a semi-heavy electric truck that are not only less expensive but also pose less of a fire hazard.
“The vast majority of the heavy lifting for electrification will be iron-based cells,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk was quoted as saying in March, referring to LFP battery technology.
Tesla at present purposes nickel-based batteries which permit vehicles, for example, the organization’s Semi electric trucks to go 500 miles on a single charge. Nickel-based batteries, which have a capacity of 75 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and are used in the Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, are used instead of LFP batteries, which can hold 53 kWh.
Given the increased political tensions that exist between the United States and China, it may be challenging to convince Chinese suppliers of the LFP industry to construct factories in the United States.
The “Master Plan Part 3” that Tesla released on Wednesday includes plans to start using LFP batteries on short-range Semi light trucks. However, a launch date was not specified.
The most recent Semi electric truck, which was made available in December, has a nickel-based battery that has a range of 500 miles, but the company wants to make a truck with a range of 300 miles.
The electric vehicle manufacturer also stated that the Model 3 and Model Y will eventually use LFP batteries for small electric vehicles.
Iron’s low cost and abundance are among the primary reasons Musk and other LFP advocates are considering it.
These two benefits outweigh drawbacks like the batteries’ reduced capacity and weight, which results in a shorter range than nickel-based batteries.
LFP batteries are currently supplied to Tesla by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co of China, and LG Energy Solution of South Korea intends to manufacture them at a proposed Arizona facility.
