Market data Li carbonate (GFEX)104,740 CNY/t▼ 11.8% d/d12 Oct Grid-scale BESS installed, Sep20.4 GWh▲ 61% y/y15 Oct Germany storage added, Jan–Sep8.2 GWh▲ 91% y/y30 Sep Lithium144,779 $/t▼ 2.6% m/mSep 2026 avg Nickel16,324 $/t▼ 2.5% m/mSep 2026 avg Cobalt42,213 $/t▼ 24.4% m/mSep 2026 avg Manganese2,782 $/t▼ 3.9% m/mSep 2026 avg Latest published figures · click for source

Nickel-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.

Outside China, nickel-containing chemistries (NMC and NCA) made up almost 80% of EV batteries in 2025. NMC721, NMC811 and NCA together accounted for roughly 80% of deployment among cobalt-containing chemistries.1

Their main advantage is energy density – up to 265 Wh/kg for NMC cells1 – which matters for long-range cars and heavy trucks. The trade-off is cost: NMC packs averaged $128/kWh in 2025.2 Cobalt prices roughly doubled over the past year after the DRC export ban and later quotas.1

Key figures

Cell energy density (NMC)
up to 265 Wh/kg1
Average NMC pack price, all segments (2025)
$128/kWh2
Share of EV batteries outside China (2025)
almost 80% (NMC + NCA)1
Example – heavy truck (Volvo FH Aero Electric)
NCA prismatic cells from Samsung SDI, 780 kWh gross3

Strengths

  • Highest energy density in mass production1
  • Dominant EV chemistry outside China1

Limitations

Vehicles using NMC / NCA

ModelTypeBuilt inBatteryChemistry / cellsChargingRange
SOR NS 12 Electric4 Buses & coaches CEE Czechia 225 kWh NMC, 18650 cells; battery by EVC Hulín pantograph 750 V DC / 250 A; depot AC 3×400 V / 32 A –
Volvo BZL Electric (chassis)5 Buses & coaches Borås, Sweden 282 / 376 / 470 kWh (3–5 packs of 94 kWh) NCA CCS up to 250 kW; OppCharge up to 300 kW –
Volvo FH Aero Electric Extended Range3 Trucks & vans Ghent (BE) / Tuve (SE) 780 kWh gross / 725 kWh net (8 packs) NCA prismatic cells, Samsung SDI CCS 350 kW; MCS 700 kW up to 700 km

From our E-mobility database.

In Central & Eastern Europe

The region's large cell plants in Poland and Hungary and the Umicore cathode-materials plant in Nysa supply European carmakers – see their profiles in our directory.

LG Energy Solution WrocławCell manufacturerSamsung SDI HungaryCell manufacturerSK On (SK Battery Manufacturing)Cell manufacturerUmicore (Nysa plant)Materials

Sources

  1. Global EV Outlook 2026 – Electric vehicle batteries – IEA, 2026
  2. Lithium-ion battery pack prices fall to $108 per kilowatt-hour – BloombergNEF, 9 Dec 2025
  3. Volvo Trucks boosts net battery capacity to record level – electrive, 11 Jun 2026
  4. Technická specifikace vozidla SOR NS 12 Electric (contract annex) – Czech public contract register
  5. Data sheet BZL Electric 2025 – Volvo Buses, 2025