I read an article on Ford’s website that suggests charging 2024 trucks with LFP batteries to 100% at home, at least once a month. I’ve never seen this before and it goes against what I’ve always heard. Did they make a mistake or what’s going on?
No mistake, it’s actually right. LFP batteries have a flat voltage curve, so they rely on how much current goes in and out. Charging to 100% helps the battery management system (BMS) stay accurate.
But just to clarify, even though charging to 100% speeds up battery wear, LFP batteries last longer overall compared to cobalt-based ones. There’s a good video explaining it.
@Paden
Right, but LFP’s overall lifespan is much better than other chemistries. So doing it once a month isn’t going to hurt too much.
Grier said:
@Paden
Right, but LFP’s overall lifespan is much better than other chemistries. So doing it once a month isn’t going to hurt too much.
Exactly, I just want to point out that charging to 100% still has an impact on battery health, so doing it every day isn’t the best idea, even with LFP.
@Paden
I read somewhere that Ford includes some headroom in the battery so that 100% isn’t actually 100%. Seems confusing since they tell us to charge to 100%.
Noor said:
@Paden
I read somewhere that Ford includes some headroom in the battery so that 100% isn’t actually 100%. Seems confusing since they tell us to charge to 100%.
Yeah, the nominal capacity is 143kWh, but they say the truck uses about 131kWh. That’s based on the voltage range they allow for the battery. They might cap the top voltage at, say, 4.0v instead of 4.15v, meaning you can’t reach the full capacity even though it says ‘100%’. It’s different from a buffer, though— it’s more like they’re stopping it just short of the real top.
This applies to LFP batteries, but not to the NC types.
I usually charge mine to 85% every few days, then 100% maybe once a month for trips or just for the heck of it.
With NCM batteries, you can set the max charge to 90%, but that doesn’t mean you should do it for everyday driving. The 80-20 rule still applies— keeping it between 70-80% for daily driving will make your battery last longer. If you need the extra range, you can push it higher when needed.
Wait, are the 2024 extended range trucks using LFP batteries too?
Avery said:
Wait, are the 2024 extended range trucks using LFP batteries too?
Not all of them. LFP was supposed to come later for XLT models, but I don’t think it’s available yet. If it were, we’d probably see some comparison tests by now.
Avery said:
Wait, are the 2024 extended range trucks using LFP batteries too?
I believe the extended range (ER) is still NCM and the standard range (SR) is LFP, but I haven’t found an official source. Just things I’ve seen on forums.
@Aza
The switch to LFP for the standard range hasn’t happened yet. I think they delayed it because of the tariff discussions with China. All LFP batteries right now are made in China.
Aubrey said:
@Aza
The switch to LFP for the standard range hasn’t happened yet. I think they delayed it because of the tariff discussions with China. All LFP batteries right now are made in China.
Yeah, looks like Ford won’t start making their own LFP batteries until 2026. They’re building a plant in Michigan.
Man, I wish I had the LFP battery. Sounds way more convenient.
Hadi said:
Man, I wish I had the LFP battery. Sounds way more convenient.
Depends where you live. If you’re in a colder area, NMC actually performs better than LFP in the winter.
How do you even figure out which battery you have?
@Cai
Thanks! Mine is the K type. I found another thread talking about this, and it seems like K is the standard range NMC battery, which should only be charged to 90%. The S type is the standard range LFP, and that can go up to 100%.
@Cai
Oh cool, my 2023 has NCM. I thought it might’ve been LFP!