US Tesla:’Model 3 ‘ with LFP battery under consideration: Application submitted to the Chinese government
[Beijing, 23rd, Reuters]
Tesla:
It is seeking approval from the Chinese government for the production of the “Model 3” sedan equipped with a lithium iron phosphate lithium-ion battery (LFP: LifePO4).
It was revealed in a document posted on the website of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China.
Reuters coverage:
In February 2020, Tesla reported that discussions were underway to equip the EV produced at the Chinese plant with “LFP battery made by Ningde Era New Energy Technology (CATL) (300750.SZ)”.
LFP battery: (LFP: LifePO4)
It does not contain “the most expensive mineral cobalt essential for EV batteries”.
However, the submitted documents do not disclose the battery manufacturer used.
Tesla’s comment on Reuters coverage was not obtained either.
Tesla:
Currently, the Shanghai plant is producing Model 3 using batteries made by Panasonic and LG Chem of South Korea.
CATL said it will start supplying Tesla in July.
Reuters
https://jp.reuters.com/article/tesla-china-idJPKBN231017
Iron phosphate lithium-ion battery LFP battery
LifePO4 Lithium Ferrite/Kotak
● Safety
Lithium iron phosphate has a high thermal decomposition temperature, and has excellent thermal stability and safety.
C-LiFe further pursues safety in the manufacturing process by means of impurity removal technology and rigorous safety and reliability tests.
●Long life
Both cycle life and calendar life are long, achieving a cycle life of 2,000 times or more at 100% DOD (Depth of Discharge).
(When used at 40 to 60% in a test environment of 25°C, the cycle life of approximately 18,000 cycles has been confirmed according to in-house standards.)
● Cost performance
Achieved a reduction in manufacturing costs with our original production technology. Material costs can be reduced because rare metals are not used.
It is a cost performance that can be replaced with a lead secondary battery by further technological innovation and mass production effect.
●High output discharge
Even when compared with lead secondary batteries, overwhelmingly high output discharge is possible.
It can also be used for systems that require high output power such as automobiles, forklifts, heavy equipment, and industrial machinery.
●Self-discharge rate 1%/month
The lithium-ion iron phosphate battery has a self-discharge rate of 1% per month.
Even if it is left for a long time, sufficient power can be obtained. (Self-discharge of lead secondary battery is about 20% per month)
● Rapid charge/discharge
Due to its characteristics, it can be charged and discharged in a short time of 1/10 compared to lead acid batteries.
●Low temperature environmental performance
Due to the characteristics of lithium iron phosphate battery, it can be used in low temperature environment of -20℃.