ArenaEV.com ArenaEV.com

Facebook

Twitter

RSS

Settings
Units
Power
Standard
Consumption
Currency

Log in

Login

I forgot my password
Sign up
ADVERTISEMENTS

Here's a breakdown of the cost of an EV battery

  • Post your comment
  • Comments (3)

Vlad, 23 February 2022

Batteries Technology Misc Other

Battery EVs have batteries, and we all know those batteries cost a lot of money. But just how much? And what's the actual breakdown of the cost structure for your average EV battery? That's what the folks over at Elements by Visual Capitalist set out to uncover. And they've done said uncovering in a very tidy, neatly designed infographic, that you can see below.

Here's a breakdown of the cost of an EV battery

So, the average cell cost last year was $101 per kWh. If we're talking full battery package, then it was $132 per kWh, and you can easily do the math for your particular EV (or the one you're interested in) to find out how much of its price is represented by the battery's cost, by multiplying its gross battery capacity in kWh by 132. Now $132/kWh is definitely still a lot, but keep in mind it used to be $1,200 per kWh in 2010!

As you can see in the infographic, the most expensive component of the battery is the cathode. This is the positively charged electrode, and when the battery is discharged, both electrons and positively-charged molecules flow from the anode to the cathode, which stores them until the battery is charged again.

That's why the cathode is so important, and thus why it's so expensive - it essentially determines the performance, range, and thermal safety of a battery, and therefore of the EV itself. The cathodes are composed of various refined forms of metals, depending on specific cell chemistry. Common cathode compositions include lithium iron phosphate, lithium nickel manganese cobalt, and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide. The commodities in the cathode are very valuable themselves, accounting for roughly 40% of the overall cell cost.

Everything outside of the cathode adds up to 49% of a cell's cost, and of course the manufacturing process is a huge part of that - 24% in fact. The anode is another significant component of a battery, making up 12% of the cost. The anode in a Li-ion cell is generally made of natural or synthetic graphite, which is less expensive than the commodities used for the cathode.

Source

Related articles
  • US Department of Energy is awarding $2.8 billion in grants for domestic EV battery production US Department of Energy is awarding $2.8 billion in grants for domestic EV battery production
  • Chinese EV battery makers reach 56% market share Chinese EV battery makers reach 56% market share
  • CATL's Qilin battery increases energy density to give EVs more range CATL's Qilin battery increases energy density to give EVs more range
  • Tesla will start buying batteries from BYD Tesla will start buying batteries from BYD

Reader comments

d
  • david
  • vw6
  • 24 Jan 2023

can you give the same breakup for solid state batteries and salt base batteries as well?

  • Reply
m
  • mikeedo
  • Nue
  • 25 Feb 2022

Now the question is, is the rest of an ev with 70kwh worth over 30k aside the price of the battery.

  • Reply
n
  • nitesh57
  • I2Y
  • 24 Feb 2022

Interesting info!

  • Reply
  • Read all comments
  • Post your comment
Total reader comments: 3

  • Home
  • News
  • Compare
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • About us
  • Tesla
  • Volkswagen
  • Audi
  • Porsche
  • BMW
  • Mercedes
  • Hyundai
  • Kia
  • Genesis
  • Renault
  • Nissan
  • Ford
  • Volvo
  • Polestar
  • Jaguar
  • Toyota
  • Mazda
  • Mini
  • MG
  • Vinfast
  • Lucid
  • Rivian
  • Cadillac
  • Chevrolet
  • GMC
  • Subaru
  • Nio
  • Xpeng
  • BYD
  • [..]

EV finder

ADVERTISEMENTS

Latest models

  • ModelFord
    Explorer
  • ModelVolkswagen
    ID. 2all
  • ModelKia
    EV9 Performance
  • ModelTogg
    T10X LR
  • ModelVolkswagen
    ID.3 Pro S
  • ModelHyundai
    Kona Electric LR

Featured

  • Analyzing the Mercedes-Benz EQXX revolutionary concept Analyzing the Mercedes-Benz EQXX revolutionary concept
  • Tesla Model S beats 28 cars for winter range test crown Tesla Model S beats 28 cars for winter range test crown
  • Benefits of dedicated EV platforms Benefits of dedicated EV platforms
  • Xpeng P7 AWD quick review and drive Xpeng P7 AWD quick review and drive
  • Mirror cameras: The pros and cons Mirror cameras: The pros and cons
ADVERTISEMENTS

Home News Compare Glossary About us RSS feed Facebook Twitter

© 2022-2023 ArenaEV.com Mobile version EV Finder Privacy Terms of use

From the team behind
GSMArena.com