Electroflow Promises To Make LFP Material For 40% Less Than Chinese Producers
The race for cheaper, more sustainable EV batteries just got more competitive. Electroflow promises to make LFP material for 40% less than Chinese producers, a move that could transform the global lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) supply chain and give U.S. automakers a fighting chance against heavy reliance on China.
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For years, China has dominated the production of LFP cells, a durable and affordable battery chemistry that can cut thousands of dollars from the price of an electric vehicle. But with tariffs, supply chain risks, and growing pressure for domestic solutions, American startups like Electroflow see an opening.
Why Electroflow Thinks It Can Beat China On Cost
“We think LFP is the missing ingredient for energy prosperity. The problem is it’s literally 99% made in China,” said Eric McShane, co-founder and CEO of Electroflow. “If we want to have a chance of competing, we’ve got to flip that script.”
McShane and co-founder Evan Gardner developed a streamlined production technology that removes several costly steps from the standard process. By simplifying how lithium is refined and processed, Electroflow claims it can slash costs while building a U.S.-based supply chain.
If successful, the company could lower the cost of an LFP battery by up to 20% while strengthening domestic energy independence.
A Faster, Smarter Way To Make LFP
Traditional lithium refining involves nearly a dozen steps—from mining raw material to processing it into usable lithium chemicals. Electroflow’s method cuts this down dramatically.
“We looked at the whole process of mining, starting from the rock or the salt water and getting all the way to a lithium chemical,” McShane explained. “We were like, man, that’s like ten steps. That clearly is not the best way to do it.”
By reducing unnecessary stages, Electroflow hopes to achieve both cost efficiency and environmental benefits, making the U.S. a more attractive hub for EV battery production.
America’s Untapped Lithium Potential
Much of the world’s lithium comes from underground brine reservoirs. These salty waters, when pumped to the surface, can be processed into lithium for battery use. The U.S. alone has brines containing millions of tons of lithium—enough to power millions of electric vehicles every year.
Energy giants like ExxonMobil are already investing heavily in lithium projects, such as their Arkansas site. If startups like Electroflow can deliver on their promise, the U.S. may not only secure its EV supply chain but also significantly reduce reliance on China.
What This Means For The EV Industry
Electroflow’s cost advantage could accelerate EV adoption by making cars more affordable and accessible. It could also create a competitive, secure domestic supply chain—something automakers have been urgently seeking as global demand for EVs continues to soar.
With governments pushing for cleaner energy and automakers racing to electrify fleets, the ability to produce LFP material locally at a lower cost is a game-changer.
Electroflow’s bold claim—that it can make LFP material 40% cheaper than Chinese producers—might just mark the beginning of a new era in American battery innovation.
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