Key Trends

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) is identified as a cathode chemistry by A.K. Padhi et al. (Prof. John Goodenough’s group at the University of Texas at Austin).

China’s New Energy subsidies shift focus towards higher energy density. BYD and Gotion face increased competitions from NMC focused players.

A123 (LFP for power tools and EVs) files for IPO. A123 batteries are adopted by Fisker. In 2012, A123 files for bankruptcy and its automotive business are acquired by Wanxiang, a Chinese company. With A123’s insolvency, LFP is presumed dead in the US. 2012-18 15

May 2020

BYD introduces its LFP blade battery. CATL and BYD increase LFP’s pack level energy density to that of NMC 523. With LFP’s additional advantages in cost and safety, there is increased market interest in LFP.

China starts to cut subsidies for BEV, HEV, and PHEV.

Industry Source: Wikipedia, CNBC, electric.com, S&P global, Deloitte, GG-LB

In China, production of LFP surpassed NMC for the first time in 3 years.

At its Power Day event, Volkswagen announces LFP for entry-level BEVs.

CATL introduces its cell-to-pack technology to improve volume utilization and to simplify pack design. Mar 2021

2021 Nov In China, no new construction of the production lines allowed for EV batteries with cell level energy density less than 180 Wh/kg, a challenge for LFP technologies. (proposal by the China government)

Tesla announces switch to LFP batteries for all standard range vehicles globally. Daimler to use LFP batteries from 2024 for entry level vehicles, such as EQA and EQB BEVs.

Forecast of LFP global production capacity 770 GWh (2025)

Oct 2021

Extracted from the PDF; charts and images may read imperfectly.