Nickel-rich lithium-ion batteries

Higher-energy lithium-ion chemistries for EVs and electronics, plus fast-charging LTO.

Storage · Electrochemical · No. 69

• Storage
• Duration: Hours

Long-range electric cars still run on nickel and cobalt, metals whose prices one African export ban sent soaring.

Chart: Illustration: Nickel-rich lithium-ion batteries

Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Nickel-rich cathodes pack in more energy, with NMC cells reaching up to 265 Wh/kg against about 205 Wh/kg for LFP.

Three things to know

1. Cobalt makes up about 15% of the metal in NCA cathodes and about 10% in NMC811, the hottest ethical issue in batteries.
2. In 2025 an NMC pack cost about 58% more per kWh than an LFP pack, so grid buyers have largely switched away.
3. Its LTO cousin can recharge to about 80% in six minutes and survive 20,000 cycles, though it holds only about 96 Wh/kg.

The journey

1. 1 MinesCobalt from Congo, nickel from Indonesia
2. 2 RefiningChina refines over three-quarters of cobalt
3. 3 CathodeLayered nickel manganese cobalt oxide
4. 4 CellLithium ions shuttle into graphite anode
5. 5 Vehicle packLong-range cars, premium models, electronics
6. 6 RecyclingValuable cobalt and nickel recovered

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