Ford’s third generation hybrid system which sees nickel-metal hydride batteries replaced by lighter, more efficient lithium-ion batteries are expected to reduce the firm’s use of expensive and less-abundant rare earth minerals by up to 500,000 pounds a year (226.8 tonnes).
As the carmaker embarks on a major new product offensive, that consists of plans to launch five electrified vehicles by 2015, the reduction in use of rare earth minerals will have important implications for both financial and physical reasons, the firm says.
First, the cost is reduced by 30 per cent when compared to previous-generation hybrid batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are also 50 per cent lighter and 25 to 30 per cent smaller. All of this means better fuel economy for the carmaker’s new hybrid vehicles, including a projected 47 mpg fuel economy rating for Fusion Hybrid (US EPA economy standard) and an EPA-certified 47 mpg for C-MAX Hybrid. Among the rare earth metals used in the old nickel-metal-hydride batteries are neodymium, cerium, lanthanum and praseodymium-none of which are used in the new lithium-ion batteries.
Additionally, Ford has reduced its use of dysprosium by approximately 50 per cent in the magnets used in the hybrid system. Dysprosium is the most expensive rare earth metal used in Ford vehicles.
Source: TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk