Mercedes-Benz considers using lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries

　　On October 27, Daimler Group CEO Ola Kallenius said that its luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz is considering using cheaper lifepo4 batteries in entry-level models.

　　In the interview, Kallenius stated that Mercedes-Benz will use lifepo4 batteries in its next-generation models such as Mercedes-Benz EQA and EQB from 2024, while high-end models such as EQS will still use NCM ternary batteries.

　　According to Kallenius, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch a lifepo4 battery model, mainly considering the soaring price of metal in the key raw materials of the ternary battery, and consumers are willing to accept models with a shorter cruising range and cheaper.

　　"We believe that consumers in many cities will not need the E63 AMG (E63 AMG Mercedes high-performance sedan)," Kallenius said. "For entry-level models, we will consider lifepo4 batteries in the future."

　　In the field of electric trucks, Daimler has begun to use lifepo4 batteries. This statement means that Daimler's Mercedes-Benz brand will also use lifepo4 batteries in the passenger car field.

　　Lifepo4 batteries are popular in the Chinese market because of their low cost, abundant raw materials, and high safety. Now international car companies have also begun to adopt them. Since the beginning of this year, Volkswagen, Tesla, Ford, Hyundai, Renault and other international car companies have stated that they are considering or will further expand the scope of use of lifepo4 batteries, which is a popular product in the Chinese market. Accepted by the international market.

　　In March of this year, Volkswagen revealed on its "Power Day" that it will use lifepo4 batteries in entry-level models in the future, and it will be one of the main battery routes for its platform. Tesla stated at its third-quarter investor exchange meeting that it will switch to lifepo4 batteries globally for the standard battery life versions of Model 3 and Model Y. Previously, Tesla has repeatedly issued signals that it will expand the proportion of lifepo4 batteries used. This statement is also a solid step in its battery technology route.

　　According to industry analysts, prompting Tesla to choose lifepo4 on the battery route is an important decision it has made to further reduce costs in the face of fierce global competition in the new energy vehicle market. Driven by Tesla, the world's number one electric vehicle company, the age of lifepo4 is quietly approaching worldwide.

　　International mainstream car companies are moving closer to the technical route of lifepo4 batteries, which has also attracted many battery industry giants to start laying out lifepo4 batteries.

　　In September of this year, according to foreign media reports, LG New Energy, a subsidiary of LG Chem, has developed lifepo4 batteries in its battery laboratory in Daejeon, South Korea, and is expected to start trial production in 2022. LG Chem may establish a joint venture with its Chinese partners to supply LG New Energy with the raw materials needed to produce lifepo4 batteries.

　　Another battery company, SKI, also revealed at the beginning of this month that it is considering the development of lifepo4 batteries. "Although its energy density is not as good as that of ternary batteries, it has obvious advantages in terms of cost and thermal stability." It is reported that SKI's battery customers Volkswagen and Ford have made it clear that they will use lifepo4 batteries in low-cost entry-level models.

　　Lithium-ion battery (LIB) has become the main energy storage solution in modern social life. Among them, lifepo4 batteries are a perfect substitute for lead-acid batteries, and are the first choice for grid-connected peak shaving, off-grid energy storage, photovoltaic energy storage, UPS, data center and other industries.