Ford says that its third-generation hybrid system, which replaces nickel-metal-hydride batteries with lighter and more efficient lithium-ion batteries, could reduce the company’s use of expensive rare earth metals by up to 500,000 pounds a year.
The company maintains that the reduction of rare earth metals is important for both financial and physical reasons. Ford claims that cost is reduced by 30% when compared to previous-generation hybrid batteries. Also, lithium-ion batteries are 50% lighter and 25-30% smaller.
“We’re continually looking to find ways to provide greater fuel efficiency as well as cost savings to customers of our hybrid vehicles, and the reduction of rare earth metals is a key part of this strategy,” said Chuck Gray, chief engineer, Global Core Engineering, Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.“The third-generation hybrid technology we are now using builds on our 20 years of electric vehicle innovations.”
Among the rare earth metals used in nickel-metal-hydride batteries are neodymium, cerium, lanthanum and praseodymium, none of which are used in the new lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, Ford says it has reduced its use of dysprosium by approximately 50% in magnets employed in the hybrid system’s electric machines. Dysprosium is the most expensive rare earth metal used in Ford vehicles. This reduction is the result of a new diffusion process that is used in the magnet manufacturing process.
The overall reduction of rare earth metals in the lithium-ion batteries and electric machines lowers vehicle costs, which is key as Ford triples production of its electric vehicles by 2013.
See also: INTERVIEW: Kevin Layden, Director, Electrification Programs & Engineering, Ford
[Editor’s note: Rare earth metals are a set of 17 atomic elements in the periodic table. While some are indeed rare, others are plentiful within specific regions in the earth’s crust. These metals are used in many consumer products including mobile phones, LED televisions, computer screens and hybrid/EV drive batteries.]
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