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Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford said it's made a breakthrough in battery tech to make cheaper EVs with longer range
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@ 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
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2 FTSE 250 shares to consider to target dazzling returns to 2040!
I think these FTSE 250 shares could provide exceptional returns over the next decade and a half. Here's why I think they're worth serious consideration today. Investing in electricity generators could be a great long-term play as global power demand rapidly increases. In a fresh report this week, the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicted worldwide energy demand growth 'will be the equivalent of adding an amount greater than Japan's annual electricity consumption every year between now and 2027'. The IEA also upped its growth forecasts for the period, to 4% each year from 3.4% previously. It says demand will be driven by increases in data centres, electric transport, industrial production, and air conditioning. These are long-term trends that mean shares like NextEnergy Solar Fund (LSE:NESF) could prove great investments over time. This particular company, as the name suggests, generates power from renewable sources which it sells to energy suppliers. With the fight against climate change stepping up, investing in renewable energy stocks could be a safer bet than companies that generate power from 'dirtier' sources. There is danger in this approach, though. Power generation can sink when solar radiation levels fall, putting NextEnergy's profits in jeopardy. However, the FTSE 250 firm's broad geographic footprint helps reduce this threat at group level. Roughly 85% of its solar assets are in the UK, though they are spread up and down the country. It also produces power in parts of Southern Europe. I think NextEnergy shares are extremely attractive at current prices. At 66.3p, the fund trades at a 30.4% discount to its net asset value (NAV) per share. It also has a 12.3% dividend yield, which is one of the largest on the FTSE 250. Housebuilders like Springfield Properties (LSE:SPR) also have significant long-term potential as the UK's population grows. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) research predicts the number of Brits will leap almost 5m in the decade to 2032. Such potential growth provides excellent opportunities for creators of residential property. The government plans to build 300,000 new homes between now and 2029 under its current strategy. Like the rest of the UK, Scotland — which is Springfield Properties' target market — suffers from a chronic homes shortage that will take years to soothe. Government statistics showed new home starts north of the border fell 17% in the 12 months to last June, to the lowest level since the 1980s. Given uncertainty over interest rates, there is peril in buying these shares in the near term. But recent signals from the Bank of England (BoE) over rate cuts are encouraging, leading me to believe homebuyer interest could keep improving. Mortgage product wars are also intensifying in a boost to peoples' afforability. Springfield is already benefitting from the BoE's rate-cutting cycle that started last summer. Its latest trading statement revealed 'an increased number of private housing reservations' between June and November from a year earlier. Selling prices have also remained robust across its portfolio. With an undemanding price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.3 times, I think Springfield Properties could be a great way to consider capitalising on a fresh housing boom. The post 2 FTSE 250 shares to consider to target dazzling returns to 2040! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
