Ford is developing a new lithium manganese rich (LMR) battery chemistry that it says could significantly lower electric vehicle (EV) costs and extend driving range by the end of the decade.
Charles Poon, Ford’s director of electrified propulsion engineering, announced the development on April 23, revealing that the automaker is already producing a second generation of these cells at its Ion Park R&D center in Romulus, Michigan. Poon described the technology as “game-changing,” citing safety, energy density, and stability improvements over nickel-based batteries.
“This isn’t just a lab experiment,” Poon wrote in a LinkedIn post. “We’re actively working to scale LMR cell chemistry and integrate them into our future vehicle lineup within this decade.”
The automaker began its EV battery journey with nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cells and introduced lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries in 2023. The new LMR chemistry, Poon said, represents the next step in battery evolution, potentially delivering “unprecedented” cost reductions and bringing EVs closer to achieving price parity with gas-powered vehicles.
First explored over 30 years ago, LMR cells are not new in theory; they promise high energy density and eliminate the need for costly and environmentally damaging materials like nickel and cobalt. However, technical issues have hindered commercialization, including voltage attenuation, capacity loss, and concerns about thermal stability.
Ford’s move to pilot production suggests it may have solved—or is close to solving—these longstanding challenges, though details remain limited. Automakers typically guard battery innovations closely, and Ford has yet to disclose how it plans to overcome the chemistry’s drawbacks.
The company currently uses LFP batteries in base Mustang Mach-E models and NMC cells in vehicles such as the E-Transit and F-150 Lightning. Future models, including a compact SUV, a truck under its “skunkworks” affordable EV project, and the next-generation electric truck codenamed T3, could benefit from the LMR development.
Ford is also pursuing extended-range EVs for its SUV, crossover, and Super Duty segments. Manufacturers can apply LMR chemistry across various platforms, including hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), depending on performance and cost requirements.
