Electric Vehicle Battery Technologies

Energy Finance Enters a New Era 🌍 ⚡️Two new developments—on opposite sides of the globe—are converging to reshape how we build and fund the #energy transition. 🇺🇸🇯🇵 First, the United States and Japan finalized a major trade agreement yesterday. The headlines focused on tariffs: #Japan will reduce import duties on U.S. goods, including agricultural products, while the U.S. will impose a 15% tariff on Japanese autos. But the real story is in the fine print: 💸 Japan has committed $550 billion in investment capital targeting U.S. infrastructure, #semiconductors, and energy projects, including clean energy and EV supply chains. This is industrial strategy through capital deployment, with funds flowing via equity, loans, and joint ventures to support energy projects across the U.S. 🔋 Then came the second shift: tariffs on Chinese battery materials. On July 17, the U.S. Commerce Department imposed a 93.5% preliminary anti-dumping duty on Chinese graphite, a key component in lithium-ion battery anodes. Combined with existing tariffs, the total tariff load on these materials is significantly higher, potentially exceeding 145%. A final determination is expected by late 2025. 🧭 Together, these developments mark a turning point for energy deal-making: • Capital access is expanding: Japanese investment offers a new pool of equity and debt for U.S. developers, though the exact share for clean energy vs. other sectors remains unclear. • Input costs are rising: battery components sourced from China are now more expensive, impacting #EV and #energy storage economics. • Supply chains are realigning: geopolitical risks are pushing developers to source from allies like Japan or South Korea, supported by prior U.S.-Japan minerals agreements. • Cost validity of capital is shifting: rising 10-year Treasury yields (recently reported around 4.3%) and the loss of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits by September 30, 2025, are tightening conditions for long-duration assets. 📌 Bottom line: The energy transition is no longer just about innovation and incentives. It’s being shaped—deal by deal—by capital alliances, trade policy, and strategic sourcing decisions. Higher battery costs could slow EV and storage deployment, but Japanese investment may offset some constraints by funding U.S. projects. 💬 How are you responding to this dual shift in capital and supply? Let’s compare notes below .👇

Lithium scarcity is helping to drive innovation in alternative battery technologies. Sodium-ion batteries offer significant advantages compared to lithium-ion: they’re less combustible and made from materials that are cheap and globally abundant. Unfortunately, sodium-ion technology lacks supply chain infrastructure, but that could change soon... - Chinese EV maker BYD Co. is building a $1.4 billion sodium-ion battery plant. - India-based KPIT Technologies is inviting partners to test and commercialize its new sodium-ion battery technology which can charge faster than lithium-ion batteries. - Chinese manufacturer TAILG announced two upcoming luxury e-bikes that will be powered by sodium-ion batteries. 

The U.S. just took a big step to break China’s hold on battery-grade graphite: ~90% anti-dumping duties on Chinese graphite. I'm very happy to see it. I don’t talk much about graphite, and that’s because it’s been one of the hardest parts of the battery chain to secure or compete with China on. China controls about 98% of anode-grade processing. Without graphite, there are no batteries (ex-newer technologies like silicon anodes). New tariffs bring the effective rate on Chinese graphite close to 160%. This increase means EVs may cost around $200 more per car (negligible when considering total cost of the vehicle), but the strategic implications could be significant. Investors clearly noticed: Syrah Resources Ltd jumped over 20%, Nouveau Monde Graphite | NYSE: NMG + TSX: NOU gained around 25%, NOVONIX about 15%, Posco Future rose more than 20%. Questions of course remain. Will tariffs alone (post-30D repeal) be enough to convince investors to take long-term positions? Will they believe these rates will hold across administrations so that they can underwrite 30+ year mine and processing investments on that basis? Will this anti-dumping tariff apply to Chinese subsidiary operations like those in Indonesia? We cannot build a serious U.S. battery industry if our anodes stay almost entirely dependent on China. This move starts to change that, but staying power will matter more than the headline. #graphite #batterysupplychain #criticalminerals #energysecurity https://lnkd.in/gPEMKQGe

Confronting China’s grip on graphite for batteries China controls more than 95% of the global supply of battery-grade graphite, which is the largest component by weight in lithium-ion batteries. This creates a significant vulnerability for U.S. economic and national security, as graphite is essential for electric vehicle batteries, consumer electronics, defense applications like drones, grid-scale energy storage systems, and steel-making. Stanford Energy's STEER initiative has been working with over 150 industry experts to develop potential solutions through two major convening in Washington DC (September 2024 and May 2025), in work led by Karan Bhuwalka, Adrian Yao, Sally Benson and colleagues. Key insight from Stanford's quantitative techno-economic analysis: ✅ High estimated U.S. costs, more than twice that of China, stem from elevated capital expenditures and lack of secondary markets for manufacturing byproducts that help Chinese producers offset expenses Potential answers: ✅ Execute offtake contracts with price floors to reduce investor risk ✅ Leverage abundant carbon feedstocks in the United States (such as natural gas and biomass) to produce high-quality graphite ✅ Shorten the timeline necessary to qualify graphite produced in new factories ✅ Develop coherent testing standards and performance characteristics that can confidently map graphite's physical properties to long-term battery performance See article in Comments

I was wrong about some battery degradation facts, specifically the "I paid for the whole battery, I'm going to USE the whole battery" thinking that often finds me rolling into a charger at 2% on road trips. That deep discharge is a drag on battery health. This video is well produced and explains the engineering in EV batteries in a very accessible way- don't let the whiteboard of analysis intimidate you, it's not too dense. It's important to note that these 3 nuggets of wisdom are for how to get the very most of your battery, and modern EVs' batteries are likely to outlast their original car even if you don't follow these tips. They can help you get the very least degradation you can over the car's lifespan, though. https://lnkd.in/g5EH4tq3

Gravity has opened the fastest public charging station in the United States. This company is emerging as a disruptive force in the charging infrastructure sector. What distinguishes Gravity's chargers is their speed and efficiency. Their chargers have a rapid 500kW charging rate, adding 2,400 miles of range per hour (or 200 miles in five minutes). Gravity is redefining the definition of fast charging. Founder Moshe Cohen, a former finance and economics professor at Columbia Business School, holds a PhD in economics from MIT and a law degree from the Hebrew University. Gravity raised their Seed round led by GV (Google Ventures) in November 2023. Why I’m watching Gravity; - Ability to scale. They plan to establish 5-10 fast charging sites in NYC over the next six months. Also, parking is free at their charging hubs; drivers only pay for the electricity. - Portable design. Gravity's chargers are not only powerful but also compact and portable, making it an ideal charger for both urban and remote areas. - Better user experience. Collaborating with architect Jasmit Rangr, Gravity is transforming traditional parking into eco-friendly spaces, integrating interactive touchscreens for a better user experience. - Growth potential: With plans for additional funding later this year and a vision for nationwide expansion, Gravity is positioned to become a major player in the EV charging sector. Dive deeper 👇 📚 Reuters article by Akash Sriram → https://lnkd.in/envVzc_z 📚 Fast Company article by Adele Peters → https://lnkd.in/eS6srtXN 📺 Fox 5 (WNYW-TV New York) coverage → https://lnkd.in/e5meKAac

Cathode innovation makes sodium-ion battery an attractive option for electric vehicles. New cathode design could pave the way for eco- and budget-friendly electric vehicles. Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois. Posted: January 8, 2024. Excerpt: Researchers at US Department of Energy (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have invented and patented a new cathode material that replaces lithium ions with sodium and would be significantly cheaper. The cathode is one of the main parts of any battery. It is the site of the chemical reaction that creates flow electricity that propels a vehicle. The team's interest in sodium-ion batteries stems from many advantages including sustainability and cost. Sodium is more naturally abundant and easily mined than lithium. It is priced at a fraction of the cost per kilogram and less susceptible to price fluctuations and/or disruptions in the supply chain. "Our estimates suggest a sodium-ion battery would cost one-third less than a lithium ion one," said Christopher Johnson, Senior Chemist/Argonne Distinguished Fellow. Drawing insights from earlier research, Johnson’s team invented a layered oxide cathode tailored for sodium-ion batteries. This variation on the NMC cathode is a sodium nickel-manganese-iron (NMF) oxide with a layered structure for efficient insertion and extraction of sodium. The absence of cobalt in the cathode formula mitigates cost, scarcity and toxicity concerns associated with that element. Besides sodium the core material predominantly iron and manganese. Both elements are abundant and not on the endangered list. Note: Another benefit is that sodium ion batteries can retain their charging capability at below freezing temperatures. A drawback of existing lithium-ion batteries. In addition, the technology for battery management and manufacturing already exists. Design closely resembles lithium ion batteries. "There is one catch to the wonder battery," noted Dr. Johnson. "Sodium metal is about three times heavier than lithium, adding to battery weight." Additional weight translates into shorter driving range. The limitation could appeal to budget conscious city dwellers. Another application for sodium-ion battery is storage of renewable energy for use in an electric grid. Battery weight is less of an issue and low-temperature operation a plus. Batteries for grids are a fast-growing market.

Quantum Battery Breakthrough: First-Ever Advantage Over Classical Tech Demonstrated ⸻ Introduction: A New Era of Energy Storage—Powered by Quantum Physics After more than a decade of theoretical promise, researchers have now achieved a measurable “quantum advantage” in energy storage. In a landmark study, scientists demonstrated that a model quantum battery—relying on quantum principles like entanglement and superabsorption—can outperform a traditional battery in terms of charging speed. While the technology is not yet ready for real-world deployment, this milestone marks a pivotal shift in our understanding of how quantum systems could revolutionize future energy solutions. ⸻ Key Developments in the Study • What Is a Quantum Battery? • A quantum battery stores energy using photons, unlike conventional batteries that rely on the movement of electrons or ions. • Quantum effects such as entanglement and superabsorption offer the potential for ultra-fast charging and compact energy storage. • The Long-Awaited ‘Quantum Advantage’ • Until now, no working model had definitively shown faster charging or improved efficiency compared to classical designs. • The new study marks the first time a quantum battery has reached the quantum speed limit, providing verifiable performance gains. • Study Highlights • Researchers developed a model battery architecture capable of leveraging quantum properties for faster energy accumulation. • Though theoretical and complex in construction, the results confirm quantum systems can outperform their classical analogues in energy storage. • Challenges Ahead • Translating this laboratory model into a practical, scalable device will require significant advances in quantum control and materials science. • The technology remains highly experimental, with real-world applications still years—if not decades—away. ⸻ Why This Matters: Laying the Groundwork for Future Energy Innovation This breakthrough signifies a turning point in the quest for quantum-enhanced technologies. Quantum batteries could one day dramatically reduce charging times for electric vehicles, portable electronics, or even grid-scale energy systems. More broadly, it confirms that quantum physics isn’t just theoretical—it can offer tangible improvements in everyday technologies. Although commercialization remains distant, the study brings quantum batteries out of the realm of speculation and into scientific reality. It also serves as a proof-of-concept that reinforces the broader promise of quantum innovation across industries. ⸻ I share daily insights with 21,000+ followers and 8,000+ professional contacts across defense, tech, and policy. If this topic resonates, I invite you to connect and continue the conversation. Keith King https://lnkd.in/gHPvUttw

The EV cell cylindrical cell format 4680, with "tabless" design is relatively new and this just published article does a great job at analyzing the costs from a manufacturing process perspective. Affordable EVs depend on lower cost & higher performance batteries, and this is highly relevant information. At OneD Battery Sciences, we have been prototyping and testing many 46XX cells for our customers, with both NMCA and NCA cathodes and with SINANODE anodes made using SINANODE-processing of uncoated natural graphites from EV-qualified suppliers. By combining a very inexpensive carbon substrate (uncoated EV-grade graphite already produced at large-scale) and adding silicon inside the pores (with our novel surface treatment), we can demonstrate both the decrease in costs, the increase in cell capacity, as well as the cycling and charging performance and lower carbon footprint. This article is published here: Pegel, Hendrik and Grimm, Adrian and Frey, Christian and Seefeldt, Volker and Baazouzi, Sabri and Sauer, Dirk Uwe, Manufacturing of Tabless Cylindrical Lithium-Ion Cells: Quantifying the Influence of Cell Dimensions and Housing Material Via Process-Based Cost Modeling. Available at SSRN: https://lnkd.in/gW8Z5ia5 or https://lnkd.in/gR4VKDS7 #evbattery

LMFP - The Future of EV Batteries? We compared different lithium-ion battery chemistries in my earlier post (https://lnkd.in/dxBrcfuc). The key takeaway was that LFP batteries are gaining popularity for their safety, stability, and cost. But what if we could upgrade LFP and get even more advantages? Enter manganese. By adding manganese to LFP, we get lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) batteries. This new material has several key benefits: ♦ 15-20% higher energy density than LFP due to higher voltage ♦ Better low-temperature capacity - 75% retention at -20C ♦ Approaching towards energy density of NCM cathodes ♦ Abundant manganese keeps costs only 5-10% higher than LFP ♦ Safety and stability still comparable to LFP Major players like Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited and BYD are already developing LMFP technology. However, some disadvantages remain: ♦ Manganese dissolution can reduce cycle life ♦ Poorer charge/discharge capacity than LFP ♦ Still needs improvements to reach full potential Nonetheless, LMFP sits firmly between LFP and NCM on key metrics. For automakers, it brings them close to the best of both worlds - safety and stability of LFP with energy density approaching NCM. The EV landscape is evolving quickly. With innovative material science like LMFP, lithium batteries are charging ahead into a high-performance, low-cost future. What do you think? Can LMFP batteries become a game changer, or do challenges remain? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! #batteries #electricvehicles #evs #energystorage