Batteries 101 : comparing NMC and LFP batteries

This is the first report of a series titled “Batteries 101” and which will cover the EV lithium-ion battery sector. In its most simplistic explanation, a lithium-ion battery is made out of a cathode (+) and an anode (-), between both is a separator. Both electrodes are immersed in an electrolyte solution which allows the movement of lithium ions. There are several types of lithium-ion batteries in the market. Almost all of them use graphite as the active material in the anode and lithium in the cathode active material . The main difference between them i s in the choice of the remainder of active materials in the cathode , to name a few : NMC - Lithium Nickel Cobalt Manganese Oxide LFP - Lithium Iron Phosphate LNMO - Lithium Nickel Manganese Spinel NCA - Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide LMO - Lithium Manganese Oxide Both NMC and LFP batteries are expected to have the largest market share in battery cathode for BEVs. When it comes to energy density (ie EV range) , NMC batteries have the upper hand when compared with other type s of cathode s currently in the market. That being said, LFP batteries have their own advantages including a longer life cycle along and lower raw material prices. More recently advances in LFP have allowed for improved range , the cathode is now being used in the Tesla model 3 at the expense of the NCA cathode . LFPs account f or around 50% of new BEV sales in China. The next report will look at the raw materials that go into the production of li-ion EV batteries.