During the first years after I started this blog in 2015 I often wrote articles demonstrating that legacy automakers weren’t taking electric cars seriously. They were actively trying to prove that electric cars didn’t work by selling overpriced cars with low range and blamed battery technology, when they weren’t even using the best battery technologies available at the time. Back then, Tesla was the only automaker using the most energy dense batteries available, which were NCA battery cells in cylindrical form. Most automakers were using LMO battery cells in their electric cars, which are far from great…

When automakers – pushed by stricter emissions regulations – finally started to get a little more serious about electric cars, battery cell makers began to develop NCM high energy density cells in prismatic and pouch forms, especially made to use in electric cars. Until then, the most interested in high energy density battery cells were laptop manufacturers, that’s why they were made in cylindrical form.

Now in 2020 the scenario is very different from what we had when I started this blog in 2015. Legacy automakers are actually selling electric cars with good batteries. Most of them are now using NCM 523 or NCM 622 battery cells and prepare to upgrade to even more energy dense cells such as NCM 712, NCM 811 and even NCMA.

Note: the chart above is a bit outdated considering that now NCM 811 battery cells can easily surpass 1.000 cycles before reaching the EOL (End of Life). However, it still shows us that NCMA, which combines the best characteristics of NCM and NCA chemistries represents a solid improvement.

Anyway, right now it seems that two cathode chemistries will dominate the EV battery world in the near future. The NCMA cathode which offers the best energy density and the cobalt-free LFMP cathode which offers the best cost. A smart strategy for automakers would be to offer the same electric car with two different battery packs, one optimized for range and another for cost.

Now that I gave you a bit of context let’s move to the interesting part and compare some batteries of popular electric cars.

Volkswagen e-Golf

Total battery capacity: 35,8 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 32 kWh (89 %)

Battery weight: 349 kg

Battery energy density: 103 Wh/kg

Cells: 264 (88s3p)

Chemistry: NCM 333 (also known as NCM 111)

Manufacturer: Samsung SDI

TMS: passive air cooling

NCM 333 means that the cathode besides lithium contains nickel, cobalt and manganese in a composition ratio of 3:3:3 (equal parts), which is the same for NCM 111.

Volkswagen e-up, SEAT Mii Electric and Skoda CITIGOe iV

Total battery capacity: 36,8 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 32,3 kWh (88 %)

Battery weight: 248 kg

Battery energy density: 148 Wh/kg

Cells: 168 (84s2p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: LG Chem

TMS: passive air cooling

Renault Twingo ZE

Total battery capacity: 22 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 21,3 kWh (97 %)

Battery weight: 165 kg

Battery energy density: 133 Wh/kg

Chemistry: NCM 712 (not confirmed, just my guess)

Manufacturer: LG Chem

TMS: active liquid cooling

Renault ZOE

ZE 40 battery of old generation Renault ZOE

Total battery capacity: 44,1 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 41 kWh (93 %)

Battery weight: 305 kg

Battery energy density: 145 Wh/kg

Cells: 192 (96s2p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: LG Chem

TMS: active air cooling

ZE 50 battery of new generation Renault ZOE

Total battery capacity: 54,66 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 52 kWh (95 %)

Battery weight: 326 kg

Battery energy density: 168 Wh/kg

Cells: 192 (96s2p)

Chemistry: NCM 712

Manufacturer: LG Chem

TMS: active air cooling

Note: In the new generation Renault ZOE the ZE 40 battery is just a ZE 50 battery with capacity software-limited by the BMS (Battery Management System). It’s not the same ZE 40 battery that was available in the old generation.

LG Chem already stated that it reserves the NCM 811 chemistry to cylindrical cells and pouch cells get NCM 712 first, then NCMA in 2022.

BMW i3

Old generation 94 Ah battery

Total battery capacity: 33,77 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 27,2 kWh (80 %)

Battery weight: 256 kg

Battery energy density: 132 Wh/kg

Cells: 96 (96s1p)

Chemistry: NCM 333 (also known as NCM 111)

Manufacturer: Samsung SDI

TMS: active liquid cooling

New generation 120 Ah battery

Total battery capacity: 42,2 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 37,9 kWh (90 %)

Battery weight: 278 kg

Battery energy density: 152 Wh/kg

Cells: 96 (96s1p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: Samsung SDI

TMS: active liquid cooling

Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa-e

Total battery capacity: 50 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 46 kWh (92 %)

Battery weight: 356 kg

Battery energy density: 140 Wh/kg

Cells: 216 (108s2p)

Chemistry: NCM 523 (not confirmed, just my guess)

Manufacturer: CATL

TMS: active liquid cooling

Nissan LEAF

40 kWh battery

Total battery capacity: 39,46 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 36 kWh (91 %)

Battery weight: 303 kg

Battery energy density: 130 Wh/kg

Cells: 192 (96s2p)

Chemistry: NCM 523

Manufacturer: Envision AESC

TMS: passive air cooling

62 kWh battery

Total battery capacity: 62 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 56 kWh (90 %)

Battery weight: 410 kg (estimation)

Battery energy density: 151 Wh/kg (estimation)

Cells: 288 (96s3p)

Chemistry: NCM 523

Manufacturer: Envision AESC

TMS: passive air cooling

Both battery packs use the same NCM 523 battery cells, but AESC did manage to maximize the disposition of the cells to fit more in the same space. With 288 cells the bigger battery pack is discharged at lower C-rates, which also helps to increase the current efficiency (coulombic efficiency), otherwise its capacity would just be 59,19 kWh (39,46 kWh x 3 / 2).

Chevrolet Bolt EV and Opel Ampera-e

Old generation

Total battery capacity: 62,2 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 58 kWh (93 %)

Battery weight: 435 kg

Battery energy density: 143 Wh/kg

Cells: 288 (96s3p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: LG Chem

TMS: active liquid cooling

New 2020 generation

Total battery capacity: 68 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 64 kWh (94 %)

Battery weight: 430 kg

Battery energy density: 158 Wh/kg

Cells: 288 (96s3p)

Chemistry: NCM 712 (not confirmed)

Manufacturer: LG Chem

TMS: active liquid cooling

The battery capacity advertised by Chevrolet is neither total nor usable, is something in between…

Regarding the new 2020 generation, it is likely that there was a change to NCM 712 battery cells and although the increase in energy density seems minimal, there is an explanation. The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV now has the “cold weather battery pack” that according to GM allows 150 % faster DC charging in cold weather.

This “cold weather battery pack” means better insulation and heating of the battery but is likely to result in extra weight. Explaining why the energy density of the battery pack only increased from 143 to 158 Wh/kg, while in the Renault ZOE, the upgrade to NCM 712 battery cells resulted in an energy density increase from 145 to 169 Wh/kg.

Hyundai Kona Electric

Long range version

Total battery capacity: 67,5 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 64 kWh (94 %)

Battery weight: 452 kg

Battery energy density: 149 Wh/kg

Cells: 294 (98s3p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: LG Chem

TMS: active liquid cooling

This battery pack is made with the same LG Chem LGX E63 cells that we find in the Renault ZE 40 battery, but instead of 192 cells (96s2p), Hyundai uses 294 cells (98s3p).

Hyundai IONIQ Electric

Total battery capacity: 40,4 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 38,3 kWh (94 %)

Battery weight: 359 kg (without battery heater) and 363 kg (with battery heater)

Battery energy density: 112,4 Wh/kg (without battery heater) and 111,2 Wh/kg (with battery heater)

Cells: 176 (88s2p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: LG Chem

TMS: active liquid cooling

This battery pack is made with the same LG Chem LGX E63 cells that we find in the Renault ZE 40 battery, but instead of 192 cells (96s2p), Hyundai uses 176 cells (88s2p).

Kia e-Soul

Total battery capacity: 67,5 kWh (estimation)

Usable battery capacity: 64 kWh (94 %)

Battery weight: 457 kg

Battery energy density: 148 Wh/kg

Cells: 294 (98s3p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: SK Innovation

TMS: active liquid cooling

Kia e-Niro

Total battery capacity: 67,5 kWh (estimation)

Usable battery capacity: 64 kWh (94 %)

Battery weight: 457 kg

Battery energy density: 148 Wh/kg

Cells: 294 (98s3p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: SK Innovation

TMS: active liquid cooling

Jaguar I-PACE

Total battery capacity: 90 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 84,7 kWh (94 %)

Battery weight: 603 kg

Battery energy density: 149 Wh/kg

Cells: 432 (108s4p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: LG Chem

TMS: active liquid cooling

Jaguar uses the same LG Chem LGX N2.1 battery cells that we find in the old generation battery pack of the Chevrolet Bolt EV. But instead of 288 cells (96s3p), Jaguar uses 432 cells (108s4p) in their battery packs.

Mercedes-Benz EQC

Total battery capacity: 85 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 80 kWh (94 %)

Battery weight: 652 kg

Battery energy density: 130 Wh/kg

Cells: 384 (96s4p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: LG Chem or SK Innovation (there are conflicting reports)

TMS: active liquid cooling

Audi e-tron 55 quattro

Total battery capacity: 95 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 86,5 kWh (91 %)

Battery weight: 700 kg

Battery energy density: 136 Wh/kg

Cells: 432 (108s4p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: LG Chem

TMS: active liquid cooling

Porsche Taycan Turbo S

Total battery capacity: 93,4 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 83,7 kWh (87 %)

Battery weight: 630 kg

Battery energy density: 148 Wh/kg

Cells: 396 (198s2p)

Chemistry: NCM 622

Manufacturer: LG Chem

TMS: active liquid cooling

Tesla Model X

Long range version

Total battery capacity: 102,4 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 98,4 kWh (96 %)

Battery weight: 630 kg

Battery energy density: 162 Wh/kg

Cells: 8.256 (96s86p)

Chemistry: NCA

Manufacturer: Panasonic

TMS: active liquid cooling

Tesla Model S

Long range version

Total battery capacity: 102,4 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 98,4 kWh (96 %)

Battery weight: 630 kg

Battery energy density: 162 Wh/kg

Cells: 8.256 (96s86p)

Chemistry: NCA

Manufacturer: Panasonic

TMS: active liquid cooling

Tesla Model 3

Long range version

Total battery capacity: 80,5 kWh

Usable battery capacity: 76 kWh (94 %)

Battery weight: 478 kg

Battery energy density: 168 Wh/kg

Cells: 4.416 (96s46p)

Chemistry: NCA

Manufacturer: Panasonic

TMS: active liquid cooling

Expected incoming upgrades

Envision AESC that supplies battery cells to Nissan will upgrade its cells from NCM 523 to NCM 811 during this year. Nissan has the chance to upgrade the LEAF with more energy dense battery cells and finally give it an active TMS (Temperature Management System) to properly handle fast charging and prevent excessive capacity degradation. Hyundai could upgrade their battery cells to NCM 712 already this year, or wait until 2022 to get the NCMA cells from LG Chem instead. Next year Samsung SDI will bring its own NCM 811 battery cells and the BMW i3 will probably be the first electric car to get them. The battery capacity will likely increase around 10 kWh from the current 42,2 kWh to 52 kWh.

While I think that’s important to keep pushing for more energy dense batteries that give electric cars the best range possible, I also think that’s important to make them affordable. This is why we also need cobalt-free batteries like LFMP. Allowing customers to choose which kind of battery they want (maximized for range or cost) is the strategy that I think will become norm in the near future.

Bonus: if you want to know what a battery cell maker like Samsung SDI thinks about this strategy take a look at this internal report (translated from Korean to English).

More info:

https://sci-hub.tw/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-019-0513-0

https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/download.shtml

https://www.emove360.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/AVL-Series-Battery-Benchmarking.pdf

https://www.kivi.nl/uploads/media/5b23b49ab2834/11.00-Priatherm-Batenburg.pdf

https://cii-resource.com/cet/AABE-03-17/Presentations/BMGT/Prochazka_Wenzel.pdf

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/17_-_tesla_-_success_story_or_hype_ver_3_deleon.pdf

https://electricrevs.com/2018/03/09/jaguar-and-chevy-have-lg-in-common/