- Certain versions of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, and Tesla Model 3 carry lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries.
- These batteries are supposed to be more affordable, last longer and also carry some range and charge swaps.
- But they also have different charging needs than the nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries more common in other electric vehicles. Here’s what you should know.
When I recently spent time in A 2025 Ford Mustang Mach EI noticed an interesting message on the center display when I went to charge the car. “Charge the battery to 100% at least once a month to maintain battery health.” In all my years of testing various electric cars, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an alert like this before, but then I also remembered what kind of battery this Mach-E has.
The smaller, 73-kilowatt-hour battery in my Mach-E Select tester is a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery. This means that they will have different needs, and behave slightly differently, than the nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries found in most modern electric cars.
Photography: Patrick George
So far, I haven’t spent much time with LFP batteries. But my experience with the Mach-E left me scratching my head, and I learned a lot of things that EV owners probably should know too if they own one of these cars. Let’s dive into what makes it special, and how to live with it.
What is an LFP battery?
LFP battery They are just another type of lithium-ion battery One with a different chemistry than most EVs You can buy in the US and other markets. Instead of using nickel, cobalt or manganese for the cathode — the negatively charged electrode through which electrons enter an electrical device — LFP uses iron phosphate.
If you don’t understand the nuances of battery chemistry, don’t worry too much. (I also wish I had paid more attention in science lessons in high school.) What you need to understand is what these batteries are, their function, and how they work.
LFP batteries are interesting because The cost is about 20% less For production of other types of batteries. While batteries are still the most expensive part of any electric vehicle, this represents a huge benefit for automakers trying to develop electric vehicles quickly. This also means that cars equipped with LFP batteries tend to be less expensive than their NMC counterparts. Without any nickel or cobalt, their materials don’t have to be sourced from controversial places Like Congo.
You might think of LFP batteries as the four-cylinder engines of the electric car world: cheap, powerful, compact, and good at getting the job done. Their more stable chemistry means they tend to have a lower risk of fire than other batteries (although this is statistically low overall as well). They tend to be longer-lasting and more durable than other types.
The downside is that LFP batteries tend to carry a lower energy density—about 30% less overall, according to Battery Health FrequentThis means less scope than other types of chemistry. They also do not do well in extremely cold temperatures.
However, even with the materials they are made from, LFP batteries are not completely free of geopolitical challenges. while LFP batteries were invented in AmericaChinese automakers and battery companies have taken this technology and used it, so they completely dominate the LFP battery supply chain. That’s why Ford must license technology from Chinese battery giant CATL for its Michigan LFP battery plant, something that has proven controversial in that state and in Washington. (Moreover, Chinese automakers are now going even further with LFP technology –BYD’s five-minute fast-charging car uses an LFP batteryFor example.)
Which US EVs carry LFP batteries?
In China, most EVs make heavy use of LFP batteries. They are less common in the US market, although this is rapidly changing as more and more automakers realize their benefits and figure out how to manufacture them.
Photography: Patrick George
Electric vehicles equipped with LFP batteries include the Mustang Mach-E in Select and Premium grades with a smaller standard range battery with a range of up to 260 miles (the extended range battery is an NMC unit); Coming Chevrolet Bolt 2027; Ultimately, a copy of Chevrolet Silverado EV; the Rivian R1S SUV and R1T, in standard dual-motor trim; and Several models of the standard Tesla Model 3 and Model Y rangeEspecially those with rear wheel drive. Ford’s new Universal EV Platform vehicles, starting with a $30,000 pickup truck, will also use LFP batteries.
Did you pick up the thread here? All of these LFP batteries are found in more affordable trim levels, and those with less overall range. The battery with the highest range (at least outside China) will likely be NMC. But they bring huge cost savings and can get more people into electric driving for less money. Hyundai and Volkswagen We are also working on LFP batteries for new models.
Tesla Model 3 LFP battery (Source: Munro Live)
It’s always a good idea to know what type of battery your electric car has. In Ford’s case, then The eighth digit of your Mach-E’s VIN number is 4 or 5Contains LFP battery. All others carry NMC modules. In a Tesla, you should be able to tell On the charging tips page on the center displayOr by selecting “Additional vehicle information” in the program menus.
What should I know about charging an LFP battery to 100%?
In general, most EVs should be charged to 80% or 90% regularly to maintain overall battery health. I keep my Kia EV6, which has an NMC battery, at 80% charge almost all the time unless I’m on a longer trip.
LFP batteries work a little differently. Many automakers say it’s best to charge your car’s LFP battery to 100% periodically, at least once a week in the case of Tesla or once a month according to Ford. This is for the battery management system (BMS): the computer that monitors the battery’s performance, health, and life by overseeing things like voltage, current, temperature, and other factors. By periodically charging the LFP battery to 100%, it helps ensure the BMS is properly calibrated.
“Set the maximum charge level to 100% and charge it to 100% at least once a month to maintain range accuracy,” This is what Ford recommends. “During regular use, you can increase battery life by maintaining the charge status at 100%.”
Tesla has Historically, battery owners said LFP “To keep your charging limit set to 100%, even for daily use, and also fully charge it to 100% at least once a week.” The latest version of the Tesla user manual is basically online Corresponds to what is displayed on the central touch screenas directions can change over time with software updates.
Repeated data indicates Owners of EVs with LFP batteries tend to charge at 90% and 100% much more often than most EV owners do – and these people tend to keep their batteries at about 80% most of the time instead. “LFP batteries tolerate higher states of charge better, meaning that regularly charging them to 100% may not cause as much degradation as would occur with a different battery chemistry,” Recurrent said last year. On the plus side, this will allow the EV owner to use “more” of their maximum range all the time using the LFP battery.
However, this does not seem to be a unified opinion these days. Last year, a study was published in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society Shown Repeated charging to 100% may damage LFP battery cells over time. The study said harmful compounds can form and damage the negative electrode, corroding batteries over time.
but Even that study admits Keeping your LFP battery charged to low levels is basically useless, so it’s best to be judicious about how often you reach 100%. We have seen many examples of seeing Teslas powered by LFP technology Minimal battery degradation after 100,000 mileseven when frequently fully charged.
Ultimately, we recommend doing what your user manual or the electric car itself tells you to do. If you have an LFP electric car, you won’t be subject to the 80% rule like other drivers. Even if you’re not interested in becoming a chemistry expert just to drive a car, it’s a good idea to know what type of batteries your electric car has, and how best to care for them so they last a very long time.
Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com
