LFP Batteries — Modern Energy Storage with Lithium Iron Phosphate

LFP Batteries — Modern Energy Storage with Lithium Iron Phosphate
Published: 10.10.2023 | Reading time: 4 minutes

Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are ideal for a wide range of mobile and stationary applications due to their high energy density, which allows for large storage capacity in a compact design. Our smartphones are a perfect example of this.

In the automotive industry, high-quality lithium batteries like NMC or NCA cells are widely used for electric vehicles. However, these batteries have some drawbacks: they rely on expensive raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese, which sometimes come with environmental and ethical concerns.

Another critical issue is thermal instability, which has occasionally led to cell fires. To address these problems, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries have been developed. LFP batteries offer a safer, more affordable, and environmentally friendly alternative.

LFP batteries use a lithium iron phosphate cathode that contains no nickel, manganese, or chromium, and a graphite anode. They come in cylindrical formats (e.g., 18650) as well as prismatic and pouch cells.

Thanks to ongoing technological improvements and rising costs of other materials, LFP batteries are becoming increasingly attractive and widely used in the industry.