CATL is about to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to Ohio-based electric vehicle manufacturer Workhorse. The batteries will be used in commercial electric trucks C-650 and C-1000. CSI, which distributes CATL batteries in North America, recently completed its test for the 120 kWh LFP battery to be used in C-1000.

“CSI applied its optimization solutions to the CATL batteries and succeeded in increasing the battery pack energy density to 160 Wh per kilogram,” Workhorse explained, adding, “The density is close to that of an NCM battery and the service life of the LFP battery is approximately 200 percent of that of an NCM battery.”

The U.S. business expansion of CATL, the largest EV battery manufacturer in the world, is likely to be rather limited due to the ongoing U.S.-China trade disputes. The U.S. government is trying to block an increase in EV battery supply from China. However, as seen in the case of Workhorse, CATL may increase its presence in the market by working with minor local EV suppliers.