Mach E LG battery similarities to Bolt batteries?

[Ride_the_lightning]

I have a Mach E premium AWD on order with scheduled production end of October. I’m really excited about it, but I am starting to get concerned with the Chevy Bolt fires and the fact that Ford hasn’t said anything. I also can’t find much information on the technical differences between the Mach E battery and the Bolt battery. The Munro tear down video sure points to the Mach E using a similar type pouch cell to the bolt that is also manufactured by LG Chem, which is concerning.

And yes, I know the statistics of fires vs ICE vehicles. I’m an EV infrastructure engineer and design EV fast charging facilities. But I also have small children that have a bedroom above my garage, and am being extra diligent. I may compromise and get the car anyway, but add some more fire detection systems to my garage.

Ford seems to be taking a very conservative approach to battery management (among other things) which is reassuring. However, I would feel a lot better if they went on the record explaining what they are doing to minimize similar fires, and if their design differs, how and why it matters from a safety standpoint. Unfortunately since the Mach E is still so new, and so few have been delivered, relying purely on the statistics of “zero fires” is not necessarily sufficient.

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[ChasingCoral]

One important thing about the Mach E batteries in this regard is the different design Ford used. Watch the video Sandy did with Mach E Chief Engineer Donna Dickson


They discuss the differences between the pouch cells LG built for GM and the more modern design LG built for Ford. Ford also went with a plastic housing that allows for better inspection that the GM aluminum housing.

Reading the recent discussions of the Bolt batteries, there apparently were two separate and unrelated defects in some of the Bolt battery systems. Both had to be present in the same battery for their to be a problem (https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1133853_lg-will-pay-gm-1-9b-for-chevy-bolt-ev-battery-recall). I'm not saying there is no concern but it would be hard for both to be replicated in the Mach E batteries.

 

[JohnnyForensic]

One important thing about the Mach E batteries in this regard is the different design Ford used. Watch the video Sandy did with Mach E Chief Engineer Donna Dickson


They discuss the differences between the pouch cells LG built for GM and the more modern design LG built for Ford. Ford also went with a plastic housing that allows for better inspection that the GM aluminum housing.

Reading the recent discussions of the Bolt batteries, there apparently were two separate and unrelated defects in some of the Bolt battery systems. Both had to be present in the same battery for their to be a problem (https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1133853_lg-will-pay-gm-1-9b-for-chevy-bolt-ev-battery-recall). I'm not saying there is no concern but it would be hard for both to be replicated in the Mach E batteries.

All that.

And just in case, I put one of these in my garage over the MME.

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[Cobra427]

Thought the MME has batteries by SKI, not LG. In fact, there was a lawsuit over patent infringement.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Mustang Mach E batteries are LG Chem, originally Korea, later Poland
F-150 Lightning batteries will be SK Innovations from the Georgia plant
Future batteries will be from the new SK-Ford plants in KY and TN

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