logo
Ford said it's made a breakthrough in battery tech to make cheaper EVs with longer range

Ford said it's made a breakthrough in battery tech to make cheaper EVs with longer range

Yahoo24-04-2025

Ford Motor Co. said it is getting closer to offering car buyers more affordable and longer-range electric vehicles thanks to a breakthrough it made in battery technology, though the announcement lacked details, leaving some experts underwhelmed.
Charles Poon, Ford's director of electrified propulsion engineering, on April 23 announced that the Dearborn-based automaker plans, by the end of the decade, to offer lower-priced EVs that can travel farther on a single charge thanks to its work on new battery cell chemistry.
"Today marks a pivotal moment in Ford's electrification journey and for the future of electric vehicles," Poon wrote in his LinkedIn post. "After intense research and development at our state-of-the-art Battery Center of Excellence, Ion Park (in Romulus), I'm thrilled to share that the Ford team is delivering a game-changing battery chemistry: Lithium Manganese Rich (LMR). This isn't just a lab experiment. We're actively working to scale LMR cell chemistry and integrate them into our future vehicle lineup within this decade."
Poon said the Ford team is already producing its second generation of LMR cells at its pilot line.
But experts said lithium manganese batteries aren't new. The first-generation Chevrolet Volt used cells with manganese spinel cathodes, said Sam Abuelsamid, vice president of market research at Telemetry Insights. He said spinel refers to a specific type of 3D molecular structure.
There are other battery formulations as well, Abuelsamid said, explaining that Next Energy, a nonprofit that is researching alternative energy technology, has also been working on lithium manganese cells as part of its Gemini hybrid battery design. Next Energy describes Gemini as an architecture designed to double the range of EVs by using two cells: a lithium iron phosphate cell for daily driving and an anode-free cell for longer trips.
"The big advantage of manganese is that it's plentiful, cheap and very stable (it doesn't readily experience thermal runaway the way nickel chemistries do)," Abuelsamid told the Free Press in an email. "At least some varieties of manganese cells don't last as long, though."
Ford spokeswoman Emma Bergg clarified to the Free Press that while LMR has been researched by many companies, the technology poses challenges with voltage decay and gas generation. What is unique about the Ford LMR development is that the automaker is directly addressing these issues while "not sacrificing energy density," Bergg wrote in an email.
Abuelsamid said manganese cells have had a short charge cycle life, and Ford's comments imply that they may have found a way to address this, but Ford did not provide details on how.
Sam Fiorani thought the clarification suggested progress more than a breakthrough.
"'Directly addressing' does not sound like they've 'found a solution,' but rather getting better and working toward an eventual produceable solution," Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions, told the Free Press.
In his post, Poon said Ford's LMR battery technology has the potential to make a "step change," by giving its EVs enhanced safety and stability comparable to lithium iron phosphate batteries as well as a higher energy density than even high-nickel batteries, which provide longer range on a single charge.
Poon said Ford is also targeting a significantly lower cost than current mid-nickel batteries, which would bring down the prices of EVs. Batteries represent at least a third of the cost of an EV, and Ford believes lowering prices on EVs is key to achieving true cost parity with gasoline-powered vehicles.
"Ford started by offering nickel cobalt manganese batteries and later added lithium iron phosphate batteries in 2023," Poon wrote. "LMR is the answer to 'what next?''
But battery technology for EVs is in its infancy compared with the development of internal combustion engines, said Fiorani.
"There will be many improvements over the coming years and decades as the automotive industry is finally focusing on this technology," Fiorani said.
He said efforts such as LMR batteries, however, cannot be overlooked because they show promise in getting EVs positioned as a practical replacement for gasoline-powered vehicles, ultimately leading to broad EV adoption. But he exercises caution without further details from Ford.
"Like all of the reported breakthroughs over the last few years, LMR has its shortcomings and isn't likely the panacea we're looking for at this point," Fiorani said. "Getting over the problems with voltage decay and short charge-cycle life are huge hurdles to jump."
Ford's current all-electric lineup includes: Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning pickup and the E-Transit van. In the first quarter, Ford reported it sold 22,550 all-electric vehicles, an 11.5% increase from the year-ago period.
Ford Chair Bill Ford has long advocated for greater EV affordability. At the Detroit Auto Show in January, Bill Ford said that the company is working hard on making EVs more affordable because EV affordability will be "the catalyst for much wider adoption."
Ford's news comes after the New York Times reported on Monday that China's CATL — the biggest supplier of batteries for the world's EVs — said it had made technological advances that would allow it to make batteries that are cheaper, lighter, faster to recharge and more resistant to cold — all while providing greater driving range. CATL said most of the changes will not be widely available in new EVs for a couple of years, but its new system would allow a driver to charge an EV in five minutes with enough juice to drive 320 miles.
Wall Street autos analyst David Whiston with Morningstar told the Free Press that Ford's announced battery cell technology advancements might eliminate or reduce the need for cobalt, an expensive mineral often mined with child labor, making it a human rights concern.
Whiston admited he is not an expert on battery chemistry, but said LMR batteries use more abundant elements rather than cobalt for the cathode, so sourcing LMR is easier and cheaper.
Jamie L. LaReau is the senior autos writer who covers Ford Motor Co. for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Jamie at jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ford says it has breakthrough Lithium Manganese Rich battery for EVs

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Telegram Messenger's Ties to Russia's FSB Revealed in New Report
Telegram Messenger's Ties to Russia's FSB Revealed in New Report

Newsweek

time25 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Telegram Messenger's Ties to Russia's FSB Revealed in New Report

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Telegram messaging app may have ties to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), according to an investigation. Independent Russian investigative outlet IStories said it has uncovered evidence suggesting that the platform's server infrastructure is maintained by companies who have collaborated with Russian intelligence services, raising significant concerns about potential government surveillance. Responding to a request for comment, Telegram's head of Press and Media Relations Remi Vaughn said in a statement to Newsweek: "As a global company, Telegram has contracts with dozens of different service providers around the world. However, none of these service providers have access to Telegram data or sensitive infrastructure. "All Telegram servers belong to Telegram and are maintained by Telegram employees. Unauthorized access is impossible. Throughout its entire history, Telegram never disclosed any private messages to a third party — and its encryption has never been breached." In another auto-message sent after reaching out for comment, Telegram said: "Telegram is committed to protecting user privacy and human rights such as freedom of speech and assembly. It has played a prominent role in pro-democracy movements around the world, including in Iran, Russia, Belarus, Myanmar and Hong Kong. "Pavel Durov is the founder, owner and CEO of Telegram. He left Russia in 2014, after losing control of his previous company for refusing to hand over the data of Ukrainian protesters to security agencies. Pavel Durov lives in Dubai and holds a dual citizenship of the United Arab Emirates and France." Why It Matters Telegram has long held a reputation as a secure messaging app, and it is used globally by journalists, activists, and ordinary users seeking privacy. Its founder, Russian-born Pavel Durov, who was detained by French authorities in August 2024, has cultivated an image that the platform protects digital privacy. The IStories report challenges that image by linking the platform to Russia's FSB, which jails individuals critical of the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin. What To Know Telegram's infrastructure is managed by Global Network Management (GNM), a small firm registered in Antigua and Barbuda, which provides the platform with over 10,000 IP addresses, according to IStories. GNM's owner, Russian national Vladimir Vedeneyev, previously testified in a U.S. court that he has employees based in Russia. IStories also found that Vedeneyev serves as Telegram's chief financial officer. Many of these IP addresses were previously owned by Globalnet, a St. Petersburg-based telecommunications operator. IStories reported that Globalnet has connections to the Kremlin and Russian intelligence services, including the FSB. Electrontelecom, a St. Petersburg-based company, also reportedly provided Telegram with another 5,000 IP addresses, according to IStories, which identified the firm as an FSB contractor. Electrontelecom has provided services for the installation and maintenance of "a complex system for transmitting classified information from fixed facilities operated by the FSB's Directorate for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, which is used to carry out operational investigative activities," it said. The investigation comes days after Russian human rights NGO First Department warned that the FSB had gained access to Russians' communication with Ukrainian Telegram channels, which provide vital updates and reporting on Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "We know that by the time the defendants in cases of 'state treason' are detained, the FSB is already in possession of their correspondence. And the fact that neither defendants nor a lawyer are named in the main case allows the FSB to hide how exactly it goes about gaining access to that correspondence," First Department said. First Department head Dmitry Zair-Bek said that material from Telegram had already been used as evidence in "a significant number of cases." "On most cases, they have been accessed due to compromised devices. ... However, there are also cases in which no credible technical explanations consistent with known access methods can be identified," he said, Novaya Gazeta reported. "This could indicate either the use of undisclosed cyber espionage tools or Telegram's cooperation with the Russian authorities, obvious signs of which we see in a number of other areas," Zair-Bek added. What People Are Saying Cybersecurity expert Michał Woźniak told IStories that beyond storing decrypted messages, Telegram also attaches a unique device identifier to each message sent on the platform, known as auth_key_id, which can determine where a user is located and reveal their IP addresses. "If someone has access to Telegram traffic and cooperates with Russian intelligence services, this means that the device identifier becomes a really big problem—a tool for global surveillance of messenger users, regardless of where they are and what server they connect to," Woźniak said. What Happens Next Telegram has not commented publicly on the investigation or the allegations. The company is being paid $300 million to roll out Elon Musk's Grok chatbot on the messaging app. "This summer, Telegram users will gain access to the best AI technology on the market. @elonmusk and I have agreed to a 1-year partnership to bring xAI's @grok to our billion+ users and integrate it across all Telegram apps," Durov announced on May 28.

Firms launch tools to help shippers measure tariff costs
Firms launch tools to help shippers measure tariff costs

Yahoo

time30 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Firms launch tools to help shippers measure tariff costs

As shifting tariffs continue to impact global supply chains, Flexport and C.H. Robinson have introduced tools aimed at helping businesses navigate duties impacting international shipments. Flexport, a San Francisco-based global logistics technology company, recently launched the Flexport Tariff Simulator, a tool designed to help businesses estimate landed costs and navigate tariffs in real time. Third party logistics provider C.H. Robinson (Nasdaq: CHRW) has added the U.S. Tariff Impact Analysis tool to its global shipper platform to help businesses assess their overall duty exposure, while providing precise cost analysis of each shipment. Mike Short, president of global forwarding at C.H. Robinson said the tool assesses trade complexities more effectively. 'With this tool a national retailer could identify high-volume stock keeping units coming from one point of origin, then quickly compare total duty spend along various alternative sources — then reroute future supply where needed,' Short said in a news release. Ryan Petersen, Flexport founder and CEO, said their customers have been asking for more clarity on the impact of import tariffs on shipments. 'Our engineering team built the Flexport tariff simulator in response to meet that need in the face of all the uncertainty caused by rapid policy changes,' Petersen said in a news release. 'We want to help merchants avoid expensive surprises.' Flexport's tariff simulator includes an interactive map that allows users to see trade data around the world, including the total value of imports from a given country, the current average duty rate, and the percentage of total U.S. imports coming from that country. The tool is available to the general public at Along with the tariff simulator, Flexport is also launching a searchable catalog of harmonized tariff schedule codes to navigate classification requirements, special duty rates and customs clearance processes. Flexport and C.H. Robinson are not the only firms launching tools to help shippers, logistics professionals and consumers assess the impact of import tariffs. In March, UPS (NYSE: UPS) created an automatic tariff calculator for online shoppers — UPS Global Checkout. The parcel carrier's landed cost calculator allows e-commerce merchants to integrate it into their online stores so customers see the import duties, taxes and fees upfront at checkout. E-commerce platform provider Shopify (Nasdaq: SHOP) launched a tariff calculator in May that helps determine duties and taxes on international shipments. Agtools, a provider of software solutions for the food industry, debuted a tool in February that enables users to calculate import levies across all commodities in real time and create scenarios that will impact supply, merchandising and pricing. The post Firms launch tools to help shippers measure tariff costs appeared first on FreightWaves. Sign in to access your portfolio

Cousins Maine Lobster Opens First Wisconsin Food Truck
Cousins Maine Lobster Opens First Wisconsin Food Truck

Yahoo

time35 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Cousins Maine Lobster Opens First Wisconsin Food Truck

Authentic Maine Lobster Food Truck Debuts in Milwaukee with Local Entrepreneurs MILWAUKEE, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), the industry-leading fast-casual lobster roll brand, is bringing its wildly popular food truck experience to Wisconsin for the first time. Launching June 14th, the new truck will begin serving the Milwaukee community, introducing authentic Maine lobster rolls and signature seafood favorites to local fans. The Milwaukee truck is owned and operated by Chris Goeman and Kevin Smith, two longtime friends and seasoned entrepreneurs. Goeman, a local business owner with experience in convenience stores, restaurants, and car washes, teamed up with Smith, a former Arizona-based business owner with a background in sales, to bring the CML experience to their home state. The duo was inspired to pursue the opportunity after experiencing the popularity of the Chicago truck and seeing firsthand how excited people were to travel to get a taste of Cousins Maine Lobster. Following the Milwaukee launch, Goeman and Smith plan to expand operations into Madison in 2026 and Green Bay in 2027. They also plan to open a fourth truck in 2028 to travel across all markets, further growing Cousins Maine Lobster's footprint across Wisconsin. "We're beyond excited to finally bring Cousins Maine Lobster to Milwaukee," said Smith. "The buzz has been building for months, from local events to social media, and we've felt the energy every step of the way. We're proud to bring something new and different to the area, and we're looking forward to building strong relationships with our guests and becoming a staple in the community." The local community is invited to celebrate the grand opening on Saturday, June 14th, at Woodman's Market located at 8131 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek. The truck will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., serving classic favorites like CML's world-famous lobster rolls, New England clam chowder, and lobster tots. Guests can also enjoy the brand's new Pink Lemonade Whoopie Pie, a limited-time summer offering. For more information on CML Milwaukee's upcoming locations, visit "Opening a truck in Wisconsin is a major milestone for Cousins Maine Lobster, and we're thrilled to do it with such passionate and community-driven partners like Chris and Kevin," said Lindsay Herberger, Director of Franchise Development at Cousins Maine Lobster. "Their excitement for the brand and deep local roots make them a great fit to introduce our Maine lobster experience to Milwaukee. We're excited to see the positive impact they'll make by creating local jobs, supporting neighborhood events, and becoming an active part of the dining scene." Cousins Maine Lobster is seeking operators who are passionate about delivering high-quality food and exceptional customer service. With a proven business model that offers flexibility, operators can launch food trucks in as little as three to six months. Low overhead and labor costs allow operators to enter each market efficiently and cost-effectively. The brand is targeting markets with strong demand for high-quality, fast-casual seafood, including San Diego, California; Reno, Nevada; and areas across the Midwest, including St. Louis, Missouri; Des Moines, Iowa; and Fort Wayne, Indiana. About Cousins Maine Lobster Cousins Maine Lobster is a premier seafood franchise bringing authentic Maine lobster to communities nationwide through its fleet of food trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants. Founded in 2012 by cousins Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, the brand started as a passion project and quickly gained national recognition after securing an investment from Barbara Corcoran on Shark Tank. Since then, Cousins Maine Lobster has become a leading franchise, delivering high-quality, wild-caught Maine lobster with a commitment to consistency, hospitality, and an unforgettable guest experience. Whether serving seafood lovers from its iconic food trucks or expanding into new markets with restaurant locations, Cousins Maine Lobster continues to set the standard for premium lobster offerings. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Cousins Maine Lobster, visit To find a location near you, visit DISCLAIMER: This news is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy a franchise. Any actual offer or solicitation can only be made through a Franchise Disclosure Document. If you reside in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, or Wisconsin, we may not be able to offer you a franchise until it has been registered in your state. CONTACT: Cia AbulenciaAll Points Public Relationscabulencia@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Cousins Maine Lobster

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store