Are lithium iron phosphate batteries about to change the conversation?

Over the past decade, zillions of hours and billions of dollars have been invested in figuring out how to make solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Now it seems lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries may be about to change the conversation completely. One of the features of LFP batteries is they don’t use cobalt.

Are lithium iron phosphate batteries toxic?

While basic lithium ion batteries contain hazardous materials that make them difficult to dispose of in a responsible way, lithium iron phosphate batteries are not considered toxic. They contain common and readily available materials like iron, graphite and copper.

What is the lithium iron phosphate battery market?

The lithium iron phosphate battery market refers to sales of lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are rechargeable batteries based on lithium-ion technology that use a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cathode.

What are the patent problems with lithium ion batteries?

This prosperous development also elicits patent problems. In the patent lawsuits in the US in 2005 and 2006, UT and Hydro-Québec claimed that every battery using LiFePO 4 as the cathode and the cathode material used in some lithium ion batteries infringed their patents, US patent No 5910382 and 6514640.

Is lithium iron phosphate changing EV batteries?

While lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries have previously been sidelined in favor of Li-ion batteries, this may be changing amongst EV makers. Tesla’s 2021 Q3 report announced that the company plans to transition to LFP batteries in all its standard range vehicles.

Will lithium iron phosphate lower battery prices?

With lithium iron phosphate, which eliminates both nickel and cobalt, there is a possible pathway for getting battery prices down to as low as $80/kWh. The whole world is watching and waiting for Tesla Battery Day, now tentatively scheduled for September 15.