Ford Mustang Mach-E To Get More Affordable Battery Option

The Ford Mustang Mach-E will soon be available with a new type of battery, which the company claims will increase production while also making the vehicle "more affordable and accessible" to customers. At the moment, the Mustang Mach-E SUV is available with either 75.7kWh or 98.7kWh nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) batteries. While NCM batteries will continue to be available to customers, Ford will now offer lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries as an alternative.

Other automakers have followed suit, offering models with both LFP and NCM battery options. The Tesla Model 3, for example, uses LFP batteries in the base rear wheel drive SR+ model and NCM batteries in the AWD LR and Performance models.

Even in Malaysia, the Ora Good Cat is an example of an electric vehicle with the option of an LFP battery. The 400 Pro model uses an LFP battery, whereas the 500 Ultra uses an NMC battery. So, how will customers choose between LFP and NCM batteries, particularly those who aren't well-versed in lithium ion battery chemistry? According to Ford, the decision will be based on how drivers use their EVs.

While they are both lithium ion batteries with similar absolute ranges, the different chemistries cause them to behave differently. For example, NCM batteries have a higher energy density (so can hold more charge relative to their weight). However, Ford claims that its LFP batteries can withstand more frequent and faster charging than NCM batteries, making them a better choice if you frequently use rapid chargers. Another advantage of LFP batteries is that they use fewer high-demand, high-cost materials, making them less expensive to manufacture. Ford has yet to reveal when the LFP batteries will be available in the UK or how much cars equipped with them will cost. The Mustang Mach-E currently starts at £50,830 (approx MYR 272,590).

Ford is concentrating its efforts to electrify its vehicle lineup. It recently announced a billion-dollar investment in a new LFP battery plant in Michigan, USA, set to open in 2026. Ford's LFP batteries will be used in a variety of EVs, including the Mustang Mach-E, the F-150 Lighting pick-up, and a range of affordable, next-generation Ford EV passenger vehicles in development.



Ford will soon release its second electric SUV for the European market, though it will be built on the Volkswagen Group's MEB bespoke electric platform. In other news, Ford recently announced significant layoffs of its European workforce, including 1,300 job losses in the United Kingdom, as part of a restructure that will shift more of its development to its home country.