Engineering Explained: Best practices tips to slow down LFP Battery degrading & extend SOH life

[ChasingCoral]

Huh.. according to that I don't have the extended range battery but I definitely do.

You must have gotten that ER battery that was missing from all those new owners’ cars last winter.

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[ChasingCoral]

Simple: ALL MME Select models have an LFP battery; the rest are NMC.

Nope

 

[profdraper]

All EV batteries get balanced by the BMS, this is not a Chinese thing. And balancing does not require the battery to be at 100%, just in a steady state.

Not how it works in MG or BYD, is at the end of the charge & post 100%.

 

[generaltso]

The 8th digit of my VIN is 'U'.

I can confirm that that‘s not a 5 or a 6.

 

[jmgreen]

I know, it's a bit off topic, but I attached two VIN decoding guides, one from 2022 and another one from 2024.
And if I am not mistaken, the LFP was introduced in the Mach-E in 2023. So all older models shall have NMC batteries only.

 

[DesignMatters]

A useful & enthusiastic video for sure, but I also find some detail missing, eg:
What about battery balancing or ‘equalisation’ as recommended by say MG and BYD? ie after a 100% charge then car then trickle charges for a while to actively reset the state of the battery cells.

And that topic has been widespread in the MG community for the last five years or so & as also evidenced in my own ownership of two MG ZS EVs over the years, the first early model with an NMC battery, the second with a (Chinese CATL) LFP battery - exactly the same tech as the Mach-E Select BTW & now about to be produced in Ford’s new Michigan-based battery factory under license from CATL.

Except for the MME Select, ALL other models use an NMC battery for longer range but of course are limited by having to charge to 80% on a regular basis (pretty much the same range as a fully charged LFP Select model). Personally, I went for the Select after have owned both NMC & LFP MGs & would never go back to NMC. Watch that space & see what’s coming out of China shortly with both CATL & BYD’s new LFP batterys, eg:
https://electrek.co/2024/04/25/catl-unveils-worlds-first-lfp-battery-4c-ultra-fast-charging/

In the case of BYD, ALL of their BEVs run on LFP batteries (soon a v2 Blade Battery similar to CATL). In any case, BYD explicitly recommended running down to 10% & charging up to 100% every 6 weeks or so to balance the battery, improve the GoM etc.

And this one is what is somewhat missing from this video: based on some Chinese manufacturer’s recommendations, and my own experience with both chemistries over the years - is not just the 100% charge state AND balancing routine, is also what SoC we charge up FROM.

Personally, I find BYD’s recommendations a little inconvenient & don’t really want to be driving around on 10% or so (had that happen once when my wife had to go to hospital emergency overnight; not good). BUT I do get down to the 30% mark regularly then charge up to 100%. My MME Select seems to like it & the GoM has steadily improved. I also have observed that same trickle charge at the end of the cycle & after having let the battery run down a fair bit as described.

Ford don’t refer to ‘balancing’ at all, but some of the Chinese manufacturers do, Worth taking a look, same chemistries for now, either LFP of NMC but increasingly looking like new LFPs arr coming to replace the need for NMCs.

...and folks wonder why ICE and hybrid ICE continue to dominate sales as BEV's have flatlined and all product plans been delayed or cut back...

 

[coffeejeff]

The video goes into this, but just to record in text:

If the 8th digit of your VIN is a "5" or "6", you have an LFP battery and the OP's linked video applies to the car.

Otherwise, you have a NMC battery. Engineering Explained made this video for NMC.

correction. The 8th digit for LFP battery is 4 or 5. LFP used in standard range models of select and premium after mid 2023

 

[Bobadobee]

I know, it's a bit off topic, but I attached two VIN decoding guides, one from 2022 and another one from 2024.
And if I am not mistaken, the LFP was introduced in the Mach-E in 2023. So all older models shall have NMC batteries only.

Mine is 23 Mach E GT (purchased on June '24), and as long as I remember correctly, since 23 GT LPF battery is installed.
And I did the Vin Decoding but turned out NCM battery is in it. It is really giving me some headache.
I hope it is not true tho.. How am I supposed to know what battery is in my car beside decoding VIN

 

[Jack Roberts]

The 8th digit of my VIN is 'U'.

No the 8th digit is not ME

 

[MCarl33]

This video should help settle some confusion.

Video Description:

Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular, but a common concern remains for many owners - what about the battery? Most batteries used in electric cars today come with one of two major chemistries: Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) or Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP). LFP batteries are rising in popularity as they're cheaper to manufacturer, and more sustainable since they use more common materials. Each chemistry has unique properties, and benefits from specific best practices, as it relates to making the battery last for a long time. This video will look at the latest research and discuss four major best practices for LFP batteries when it comes to capacity retention and longevity.

I have a 2021 Mach e Extended Battery. I pretty much charge to 90%. I do that because I only drive the car about 10000 miles/yr. Need to rely on charging the HVB to charge the LVB. Just driving around doesn’t charge the LVB enough. Just checked the HVB and it’s at 94% capacity. I’m satisfied with that and I also get a range of 325 miles at 90%.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Mine is 23 Mach E GT (purchased on June '24), and as long as I remember correctly, since 23 GT LPF battery is installed.
And I did the Vin Decoding but turned out NCM battery is in it. It is really giving me some headache.
I hope it is not true tho.. How am I supposed to know what battery is in my car beside decoding VIN

Is the 8th VIN digit a 4 or a 5? It's really that simple. Or look at the window sticker. Or look under the car.

 

[Bobadobee]

Is the 8th VIN digit a 4 or a 5? It's really that simple. Or look at the window sticker. Or look under the car.

8TH number is not even a number, it is E

 

[Mach-Lee]

8TH number is not even a number, it is E

E is not 4 or 5, so it's not an LFP. You have a GT so it's NCM.

 

[generaltso]

Mine is 23 Mach E GT (purchased on June '24), and as long as I remember correctly, since 23 GT LPF battery is installed.
And I did the Vin Decoding but turned out NCM battery is in it. It is really giving me some headache.
I hope it is not true tho.. How am I supposed to know what battery is in my car beside decoding VIN

No Mach-E with an extended range battery has ever been LFP. And no GT has ever come without an extended range battery. You should be able to deduce the rest from there.

 

[Pedro Diaz]

Watching the video for the NMC batteries makes me wonder if our MMEs' batteries would be better served by only charging up to 75% instead of 90% that the manual recommends. @Ford Motor Company Your thoughts please.

When home I set it to 85%. But for long trips I change it to 100% although I stop the public charger way before that when I can.

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