Ford begins building low-cost LFP batteries for its $30K EV pickup

Key Points:

• Ford has begun producing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells at its Bluoval Battery Park in Michigan, becoming the first US automaker to ship LFP batteries for mass-market electric vehicles.
• These LFP batteries, developed using licensed technology from Chinese company CATL, will power Ford's upcoming $30,000 midsize electric pickup truck based on its Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, launching in 2027.
• The LFP cells are cheaper, lighter, and provide more interior space, with Ford claiming the new pickup will offer more passenger space than a Toyota RAV4 and lower ownership costs than a Tesla Model Y.
• Despite criticism over using Chinese technology, Ford defends the decision as essential to delivering affordable EVs and creating high-paying jobs in the US.
• The global LFP battery market is dominated by Chinese firms CATL and BYD, which accounted for over 55% of global EV battery sales in 2025, with LFP batteries making up 72% of cathode material shipments that year.