Ford will add iron phosphate battery options for Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning

Photo by Andrew Hawkins / The Verge

Just a few months after announcing a radical split structure placing its electric vehicle future in a new segment called Model E, Ford is discussing more details about source of battery production capacity and basic raw materials to power all of those EV The production of 270,000 mustang Mach-Es, 150,000 transit EV, 150,000 F-150 Lightnings, and 30,000 units of a mystery all-new mid-size SUV will need to be supported by its run rate.

It didn't mention that the company is planning to lay off as many as 8000 people from the Ford Blue segment that is now responsible for its legacy internal combustion engine-powered businesses.

Image: Ford

The batteries used in the F-150 and Mustang Mach-E are being updated. The Mach-E and F-150 will be powered by batteries made by Contemporary Amperex Technology.

Ford says these will be available alongside batteries with the same chemistry as the one used byTesla. In its Q1 earnings report, the company said that nearly half of its vehicles produced in the first quarter were equipped with aLFP battery. The LFP batteries tend to be cheaper but aren't as energy dense so Ford will use them for standard-range battery packs.

With the new packs, Ford says it has 100 percent of the battery cell production capacity needed to build 600,000 electric cars and trucks annually.

Ford signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with battery giant CATL to explore a cooperation for building batteries across China, Europe, and North America. Most of the nickel needed through 2026 and beyond is included in the agreements with mining companies to directly source necessary raw materials.