Battery technologies
The main cell chemistries in electric vehicles and energy storage, compared on the figures that matter – each one with a source. Checked 21 Oct 2026.
At a glance
| Chemistry | Energy density | Maturity | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| LFP | up to 205 Wh/kg1 | Mass market | EVs, buses, trucks, vans, stationary storage |
| NMC / NCA | up to 265 Wh/kg (NMC)1 | Mass market | Long-range cars, trucks, e-buses, drones |
| LMFP | 240 Wh/kg (Gotion L600 cell)2 | Early commercial | Mid-range EVs |
| Sodium-ion | up to 175 Wh/kg1 | Early commercial | Entry-level EVs, cold climates, storage |
| Solid-state | not yet demonstrated at scale1 | Prototype / pilot | Premium EVs (planned) |
| LTO | 202 Wh/L (Toshiba SCiB 23 Ah)3 | Niche, mature | Fast-charging buses, rail, industrial vehicles |
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP)
The cheapest and most widely deployed lithium-ion chemistry: cobalt- and nickel-free, robust and long-lived, with lower energy density than nickel-based cells.
Key figures, pros & cons, CEE players → Mass marketNickel-rich lithium-ion: NMC and NCA
Nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and nickel-cobalt-aluminium (NCA) cathodes offer the highest energy density in mass production and dominate EV batteries outside China.
Key figures, pros & cons, CEE players → Early commercialLithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP)
An upgrade of LFP: adding manganese to the phosphate cathode raises voltage and energy density while keeping LFP's low cost and cobalt-free cathode.
Key figures, pros & cons, CEE players → Early commercialSodium-ion (Na-ion)
Replaces lithium with abundant sodium. Lower energy density than lithium-ion, but strong cold-weather performance and no lithium price exposure.
Key figures, pros & cons, CEE players → Prototype / pilotSolid-state and semi-solid-state batteries
Replaces the liquid electrolyte with a solid one. Promises higher energy density and safety, but all-solid-state cells are still at the prototype stage.
Key figures, pros & cons, CEE players → Niche, matureLithium titanate (LTO)
A titanate anode instead of graphite gives extremely long cycle life, very fast charging and safety, at the cost of low voltage and energy density.
Key figures, pros & cons, CEE players →Latest technology headlines
- Novel electrolyte advances sodium battery chemistry (opens in a new tab)
- CATL advances solid-state battery development to 20 Ah samples (opens in a new tab)
- Solid-state batteries for Xpeng's Iron humanoid robot enter small-batch production (opens in a new tab)
- CATL signs deal with Germany's Intilion to deploy 3 GWh of sodium-ion storage over 5 years (opens in a new tab)
Sources
- Global EV Outlook 2026 – Electric vehicle batteries – IEA, 2026
- Gotion unveils new battery based on LMFP chemistry with range up to 1,000 km – CnEVPost, 19 May 2023
- SCiB rechargeable battery – product catalogue – Toshiba