What Are Electric Car Batteries Made of – Material and Made-in-China

Electric car batteries are simpler than petrol or diesel vehicles – that’s what they say. And yet, they still cost a lot more.

This makes one wonder what makes EVs very expensive. It all has to do with the battery.

An electric car itself could be the simplest and lightest automobile. But the battery takes much of that space, making these cars complex machines.

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In other words, the battery is the most complex part of an EV. After all, it’s the reason for their name and makes the biggest difference with gas-powered vehicles.

In this guide, we will be looking at what makes EV batteries. We will also look at how they are made and what makes them special.

What Are Electric Car Batteries Made Of?

Many articles on the internet have tried answering this question. Unfortunately, most present it like a high school chemistry lesson, making it very complicated.

Don’t worry; we are not going to follow the same path. Instead, we will try splitting it down into an easy-to-understand explanation.

Understand first that different types of EV batteries use different metals. Each type promises varying benefits and drawbacks.

When buying an EV, or an EV battery, it’s crucial to first understand what material makes the battery. The battery determines how much use you will have with your car.

There are two main types of electric batteries; lithium-ion (Li-ion) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH.) Li-ion batteries are common with manufacturers like Mercedes, Jaguar, and similar high-end vehicles. NiMH batteries are found mainly in Toyota cars.

NiMH Batteries

Electric car batteries perform depending on the materials they are made of. Cheaper material makes cheaper batteries.

NiMH batteries are much cheaper. However, they can withstand colder climates better than Li-ion ones.

One of the limitations of these batteries is their memory effect. This is a feature that lets them “remember” a charge. When removed from the charging port, it keeps a charge before being fully charged.

The battery remembers when charged after a short period. They will then operate for a shorter period between charges than before.

It’s advised that you fully charge these batteries before using them and fully discharge them before recharging. Sometimes EV owners lose their batteries because they don’t know how to maintain them.

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Li-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type in most applications today. You will find them on your laptops and smartphones.

These batteries are most preferred for their high capacity and quick charge cycling. Also, they have better overall performance than NiMH.

EVs use lithium-ion batteries on a larger scale. Different manufacturers have tried improving on these batteries to make them more useful.

Lithium-Nickel- Manganese- Cobalt-Oxide (NMC) is a common and most reliable li-ion battery. This battery offers greater performance compared to other lithium-based batteries.

Manufacturers like Tesla are turning to less energy-dense batteries like Lithium-ion-phosphate. This is because they are much cheaper. They make EVs more affordable, even if they will not last for a long time.

Lithium-ion batteries are being produced at a record-breaking rate. It’s majorly their increased energy density that makes them better than NiMH batteries.

Argonne National Laboratory recently released data that presented a single EV li-ion battery pack called NMC532 as the best technology ever. The battery potentially has about 8 kg of lithium, 35 kg of nickel, 30kg of manganese, and 14kg of cobalt. It’s one of the heaviest batteries in the world.

However, cobalt and nickel are extremely expensive. And obtaining them may have devastating effects on the environment. Researchers find this a limiting factor when trying to reduce the number of metals that can be mined.

Making of EVBs

Electric vehicle batteries are made at different levels. We can split them into three main parts: cells, modules, and packs.

A battery cell is the basic component of a li-ion battery. It can exert electric energy through charging and discharging.

What most call a battery is actually a combination of several cells. A BMW i3 battery, for instance, has 96 cells. 12 cells form a single module, and 8 modules include a pack.

Battery cells are designed in different shapes. Some are cylindrical, others prismatic, and others pouch. But all have the same basic function.

When several battery cells are combined, they form a frame or a module. This module protects the cells from external shocks, heat, and vibrations. It keeps the battery in the best operating manner.

From a battery module, the next level of a battery in the pack. Several modules are combined into one, creating a battery pack. This is the part you will see easily when you look at a car battery,

EV battery packs are welded and glued together. This makes it hard for them to come apart, even at the end of the life cycle.

Are Electric Car Batteries Made of Lithium?

Electric car batteries are the most important part of an EV. You can only define an electric car based on the battery type.

As discussed above, there are two main types of EV batteries: one of them is lithium-ion. These are the most common batteries due to their high capacity and power.

Generally, lithium-ion batteries are the best in any application. They are common in most items that use portable electrical power today, like laptops and smartphones. 

Electric cars are no different. Most manufacturers are adapting the chemistry because it provides more usefulness.

What Percentage of Electric Car Batteries Are Made in China?

China is the biggest market for EVs in the world. It’s estimated to achieve sales of more than 1m every year. Over 40% of the global sell in this industry.

The Chinese battery-maker CATL is in charge of about 30% of the global EV market. Aside from this company, cobalt specialist suppliers Darton Commodities reported that China supplied 85% of the global battery-ready cobalt in 2021. This mineral helps to improve the stability of lithium-ion batteries.

With that in mind, it’s clear that China controls this market. China is dominant in the DRC’s copper-cobalt mines too. And major battery companies are based in the country.