Tesla's Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries (LFP) Explained

LFP batteries are the most important product to date for the transition of renewable energy. These batteries do not need to worry about the scarcity issues other types of batteries face that use different cathodes, mainly from materials such as nickle, manganese, cobalt and aluminum. LFP uses iron based cathodes. Iron is extremely abundant and cheap.

Let's discuss all the other benefits of LFP batteries, and find out why they are so crucial to electric vehicles (EVs), and energy for battery storage.
Once Tesla have refined their 4680 battery lines, then soon expect them to release their very own LFP battery, which will be the most important product to the company. The majority of the the entire business is based on this single product. Therefore this is why I deem it such a big deal.

In this video you should come away with a thorough understanding of how LFP batteries work, and why they are just so beneficial to Tesla.

And for those who are concerned that lithium might also be scarce, and that we may be running out of lithium for the lithium-ions, well you may be surprised that is not quite as much an issue as you might think.

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[hilonglong]

You used to be one of my top three YouTube channels for Tesla, now you are just the TOP. Heard of LFP battery a lot, but never has one that is so comprehensive and articulate! You rock!

[devilsoffspring]

One good point is that LFP cells can be repeatedly charged to 100% and then discharged completely, without quickly causing cell degradation.
This takes a little bite out of the energy advantage of cobalt based cells. Not entirely, but it means that the lower energy density of LFP cells is less of a problem than it seems.

[Clark-Mills]

Extra Observations:
* No Cobalt in LFP cells (Nickel & Cobalt are the main constraints to mass production).
* The chemicals in LFP are relatively green.
* The cells have a long life and a deep charge / discharge depth; ideal for V2G.

[KiwiNeale]

I completely agree. Here in New Zealand we recently ordered a MIC Model 3 Standard Range Plus, and the more I learn about it's LFP battery, the more I am impressed. Tesla, in designing a highly optimized car with a highly efficient drive train and lightweight chassis, are able to fit a relatively heavy LFP battery and still get excellent range. None of the other car makers can use LFP and get good range at the same time. None. Even with high energy cobalt chemistry they struggle to match Tesla for range, so forget about them doing it with LFP.

[davewells]

I have a Tesla Model Y LFP in Canada. LFP is the main reason I bought it. It's perfect in every way. I would never consider the other battery types.

[beltstst]

All the answers are in nature, it’s just how you use it!

[vincentrobinette]

LFP is the ideal chemistry for home solar/wind energy storage. ("PowerWall") I recommend enough capacity to run the home during its most demanding day for 24 hours, with no other source of power. That way, you're not "deep cycling" them on a daily basis, and will offer some reserve during prolonged outages, or, consecutive overcast days, where the panels/tiles just aren't producing enough.

[fredfrond]

CATL supplies all the batteries to giga Shanghai. CATL is also scoping out land in western Poland, probably as close to the giga Berlin plant as you can get.

[fredbloggs]

Suggestion for future video: What if Tesla ran their own fleet of semis with FSD and slowly captured the market?

[Jjengering]

Tesla are currently using prismatic cells for the current Model 3 Sr+, great video on LFP & Tesla. I had no idea the LFP cars had structural packs.

[matias]

you are the second best youtuber talking about tesla. solving the money problem is Nº1. Your style is more formal but well thought. Good job.

[matwood]

Hard to believe you only have 23k subscribers. This is great content. Ty! Keep it up!

[justforthehackofit]

Props, you were quite early calling this one !

[stevenlilley]

Good coverage. I heard the LFPs can be charged to 100% daily as a routine, no problem. Thus better mileage

[aldogutierrez]

Why not call it LiFePO4?, for a moment I thought it was a new battery chemistry

[faramarzmokri]

Cheaper price is more important to Chinese consumer than range otherwise they would not buy the $5000 death box that GM is involved . The 25K compact car is what they want

[wtthehll]

"CATL are also investing into sodium-ion Lithium-Iron-Phosphate batteries"
CATLs sodium ion uses a different active ion, different cathode material, different anode material, different electrolyte, even different current collector foils compared to LFP.

[thomasjacques]

So when will we get the Powerwall 3? We want to add LFP batteries to our current PV system and if Tesla doesn't get off the stick soon we will buy Enphase 5Ps to mate to our Enphase IQ8A micro-inverters.

[jameshoffman]

TE Rocks! Very insightful analysis on all aspects economic.

[TheSanien]

Have been looking at LFP for a while. It would be amazing to be able to DC as much as you want and don't have to worry about SoC