Battery Chemistries

LFP · NMC · sodium-ion · solid-state

Iron phosphate took the volume market from nickel cathodes in less than five years. Chemistry choice now decides which minerals, and which countries, a battery depends on.

Floating bars of typical cell-level energy density in watt-hours per kilogram: sodium-ion 140-175, LFP 160-205, LMFP 180-230 (all China-led), NMC 811 250-300 and NCA 240-300 (Korea- and Japan-led), semi-solid 300-360 (China-led), and all-solid-state targets of 350-450 (pre-commercial). CELL-LEVEL ENERGY DENSITY, WH/KG (TYPICAL COMMERCIAL RANGE) Sodium-ion 140-175 LFP 160-205 LMFP 180-230 NMC 811 250-300 NCA 240-300 Semi-solid 300-360 Solid-state (target) 350-450 100 200 300 400 China-led Korea- and Japan-led pre-commercial
LFP share of EV cells
About half
Cobalt-free
LFP, LMFP, Na-ion
Highest density, commercial
NMC, NCA
Solid-state
Pilot lines
Hub
Supply Chain

Finding

LFP now supplies about half of the world's EV batteries, and the cobalt-free, nickel-free cathodes behind it are made almost entirely in China

LFP (lithium iron phosphate) cells are cheaper, last longer and resist thermal runaway; cell-to-pack designs such as BYD's Blade and CATL's Shenxing closed most of the range gap with nickel cells. Nickel-rich NMC and NCA still lead on energy density for long-range and performance EVs, made mostly by LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, SK On and Panasonic - and increasingly by CATL.

The next steps split along the same lines. Sodium-ion removes lithium entirely; CATL's Naxtra and HiNa cells are entering vehicles in China. LMFP adds manganese to LFP for about 15-20% more energy. Lithium manganese-rich (LMR) cathodes are the US answer: GM and LG Energy Solution plan LMR prismatic cells for trucks from 2028. Solid-state cells remain in pilot production - Toyota with Idemitsu, Samsung SDI, QuantumScape with PowerCo, Factorial with Mercedes-Benz - while Chinese semi-solid cells from WeLion and Qingtao are already in NIO and IM Motors cars.

Compare

Commercial and emerging chemistries

Cell-level figures; pack-level energy density is 10-30% lower depending on design.

EV battery chemistry comparison
ChemistryCathode / anodeCell Wh/kgCycle lifeCo / NiStatusLeaders
LFPLiFePO4 / graphite160-2053,000-6,000+None / noneMass marketCATL, BYD, CALB, EVE, Gotion; LGES in US
LMFPLiMnxFe1-xPO4 / graphite180-2302,000-4,000None / noneCommercial, ChinaCATL (M3P), Gotion, SVOLT
NMCLiNiMnCoO2 (622, 811, 90/5/5) / graphite or Si-graphite220-3001,500-3,000Low to moderate / highMass marketLGES, Samsung SDI, SK On, CATL
NCALiNiCoAlO2 / graphite or Si-graphite240-3001,000-2,000Low / very highCommercialPanasonic (Tesla 2170, 18650)
LMRLi-rich manganese oxide / graphite~250-280 (target)In developmentLow / lowPre-commercialGM with LGES, Ford
LMOLiMn2O4 / graphite100-150300-700None / noneLegacy (first Nissan Leaf, blended)Largely retired from EVs
LNMOLiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 / graphiteModerate-highIn developmentNone / lowPre-commercialTopsoe; cell makers testing
Sodium-ionLayered oxide or Prussian blue / hard carbon140-1753,000+None / variesEarly commercial, ChinaCATL (Naxtra), HiNa, BYD
Silicon anodeAny cathode / Si-graphite or SiOx+10-40% vs graphiteLimited by ~300% Si swellingVariesEarly commercialSila, Group14, Amprius, BTR, Shanshan
Semi-solidHigh-nickel / Si or Li-rich anode, gel electrolyte300-360Limited dataModerate / highSmall volume, ChinaWeLion (NIO), Qingtao (IM Motors)
All-solid-stateNMC / lithium metal or Si350-450 (target)Pilot dataVariesPilot linesToyota, Samsung SDI, QuantumScape, Factorial, CATL, BYD
Lithium-sulfurSulfur / lithium metal400+ (target)ShortNone / nonePre-commercial; drones firstLyten, Zeta

Solid electrolytes

Solid electrolyte families

The electrolyte, not the cathode, defines a solid-state cell; cathodes stay NMC-class.

Solid-state electrolyte types
TypeMaterialsStrengthsProblemsDevelopers
SulfideLi6PS5Cl (argyrodite), LGPSHighest ionic conductivity; pressableMoisture releases H2S; needs stack pressureToyota, Idemitsu, Samsung SDI, Solid Power, CATL
OxideLLZO, LiPONStable, non-flammableBrittle; high interface resistanceQuantumScape (ceramic separator), ProLogium
PolymerPEO-basedFlexible, easy to processLow conductivity below about 60 C; needs heated packsBlue Solutions (Bolloré)
HalideLi3InCl6, Li3YCl6High conductivity and oxidation stabilityIndium and yttrium cost; little field dataLGES, Samsung SDI, Panasonic (R&D)

Sources

Sources and scope

Scope
EV Battery Chemistries
Sources
IEA Global EV Outlook; manufacturer cell specifications (CATL, BYD, LGES, Panasonic, GM); company solid-state disclosures
Updated
October 2026