Ford EV Strategy Does Not Currently Include Solid State Batteries

To date, Ford has kept an open mind in regard to electric vehicle battery chemistries, which makes sense given the many uncertainties – and breakthroughs – that the future holds in that regard. A lot has changed in the EV battery market in a very short period of time already, with cheaper and more stable lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) units currently getting a lot of attention, which makes sense given their low cost. However, while most expect solid state batteries to be the eventual standard, Ford’s current strategy isn’t focused on that at all, apparently.

According to Automotive News, there are currently “no plans for production of solid state batteries in the near future,” news that comes directly from Alvaro Masias, a battery research manager at The Blue Oval. However, Ford is apparently still interested in solid state battery technology, and will continue to explore its potential use in future models, regardless. “It’s a possible future technology,” Masias said.

This is certainly notable given the fact that Ford has invested heavily in Solid Power, a solid state battery manufacturer, over the past several years. Most recently, The Blue Oval extended its partnership with that company through this year after originally teaming up with it back in 2018. Additionally, another Ford EV partner – SK On – opened its own solid state battery pilot plant just a few weeks ago. Trouble is, those types of batteries haven’t yet proven viable for use in automotive applications, and it’s unclear when that might happen.

Regardless, solid state batteries offer up a handful of potential benefits compared to existing lithium-ion units, particularly in terms of energy density. This means that automakers would be able to use fewer batteries to achieve the same sort of range figures current EVs offer, all in a smaller, lighter, and more affordable package. Previously, Ford CEO Jim Farley stated that he was “excited about the potential” of solid state batteries, though it remains to be seen when we might see them land in production vehicles.