Tesla plans to expand its use of cheaper iron-based batteries to electric trucks and a future cheaper version of a passenger car, according to Reuters.

The relative intention of the American company is mentioned in the “Master Plan, Part 3” document that Tesla released this week.

Most Tesla electric vehicles today use batteries based on nickel, which is a much less common and much more expensive mineral than iron, according to a company owned by Elon Musk.

“Mr. Musk and other proponents of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LPH) batteries point to the availability and low cost of iron as key factors that offset shortcomings that prevent widespread use of batteries worldwide. They are, of course, larger and heavier and can generally hold less energy than nickel-based batteries, reducing range,” the publication explains.

However, it is added that iron batteries have a significantly lower risk of ignition than nickel ones.

Master Plan Part 3 indicates, without a timetable, that Tesla will use LPH batteries exclusively in light trucks, featherweights, mid-size vehicles, and the upcoming 3 and Y models. These models are currently being sold in the US with expected that nickel-based batteries and the use of iron-based batteries will greatly reduce their price.

Last December, Tesla began shipping electric Semi trucks with an extended range of up to 500 miles on a single charge and nickel-based batteries. Tesla previously said it would also launch a version with a 300-mile range.

However, Reuters points out that the market for lithium iron phosphate batteries is dominated by China, which makes the prospect of building a plant for the production of such batteries in the United States much more difficult, given the current tensions in Sino-US relations.

In March, the company announced plans to halve assembly costs for future generations of vehicles to be built at its factories in Mexico and other countries.

Source: Reuters.