--- title: "Ford Mustang Mach-E Gets New Battery Tech in 2023, F-150 Lightning in 2024" description: "Ford's new LFP battery technology will make it to the Mustang Mach-E in 2023 and the F-150 Lightning in 2024." date: "2023-02-16" modified: "2023-02-16" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-mustang-mach-e-gets-new-battery-tech-in-2023-f-150-lightning-in-2024" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Electric Vehicles" - "Ford News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "F-150" - "Ford" - "Mustang Mach-E" - "pickup" - "suv/crossover" --- # Ford Mustang Mach-E Gets New Battery Tech in 2023, F-150 Lightning in 2024 ![]() *\Ford\* This week, [Ford]() announced its newest battery plant that will produce new cells for its electric vehicles after 2026. Included in that plan is switching its two electric vehicles on sale today—the [Mustang Mach-E]() and [Ford F-150 Lightning]()—to the battery chemistry starting this year on certain trims. Currently, all of Ford's electric vehicles use nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery cells but, by the end of 2023, Ford will introduce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells as a separate battery available to buyers. The Mustang Mach-E will come first, getting an LFP battery pack by the end of 2023 (possibly as a model-year 2024 vehicle), while the F-150 Lightning will get the pack by the end of 2024. Ford's battery choice structure will be based on trim level. LFP and NMC batteries have different strengths, so Ford is offering them on the models it says works best with each. For instance, LFP batteries are more durable, can handle more charge cycles, and accept consistent fast charging better than NMC batteries, according to Ford. That's why standard-range models that are designed for daily commuting and commercial vehicles will come with LFP batteries. ![]() However, longer-range, higher-performance, and heavier-duty vehicles will come with NMC batteries, as they're better at providing performance and towing power. So cars like the standard-range Mach-E and F-150 Lightning will use LFP, while the extended-range versions and the Mach-E GT will use NMC. Customers won't be able to choose between the two battery packs on the same trim level, though. Since those batteries will be offered before the new Michigan plant is built in 2026, Chinese battery giant CATL will provide the LFP cells. Once the Michigan plant is built, though, Ford will license the technology from CATL and manufacture the new cells in the U.S. It's likely that when federal regulators announce the mineral sourcing rules under the newly revised EV tax credit none of the models will qualify for the full $7,500 credit. "Because Ford EVs are assembled in North America, many models will continue to be eligible for $7,500 in consumer incentives until further guidance is issued in March. This includes Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning and E-Transit models with an MSRP of $80,000 or lower. When further guidance is issued, we believe certain EV models will meet the requirements for the $3,750 critical minerals credit," a Ford spokesperson said in a statement. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()