The early 21st century brought a revolution to the automotive industry with the rise of electric vehicles. One of the most critical components of these vehicles is the battery, which initially relied on standard 18650 cells — widely known from consumer electronics. But how have they evolved since then?
Lithium-Ion Batteries in the First Electric Vehicles
At first, achieving sufficient driving range required installing thousands of these cells into the vehicle chassis. However, this was not a long-term solution. With technological progress and the push for higher energy density and easier assembly and maintenance, the industry moved forward.
Battery Cell Evolution and Its Impact on the EV Industry
A key milestone was the development of larger, dedicated 21700 cells. Increasing the diameter from 18 to 21 mm and the height from 65 to 70 mm enabled greater capacity per cell. But the real breakthrough came with the introduction of 46800 cells, used in the Tesla Model Y.
With the capacity of a single cell reaching 26 Ah, the number of required cells has been reduced by more than sevenfold. Today, a vehicle battery consists of just a few hundred of these new cells. Moreover, advancements in cathode technology have played a crucial role. Cylindrical cells typically use cathodes made from NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminum) or NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) chemistries.
New Cell Technology and Its Impact on the Future of Batteries
In parallel, batteries based on LFP (lithium iron phosphate) technology — housed in prismatic casings — are also being developed. While they offer slightly lower energy density, they significantly reduce material costs by eliminating expensive cobalt. This is achieved by replacing it with graphite in the anode material, which is relatively inexpensive and poses no major cost challenge.
As a result, modern batteries are not only more efficient but also more economical and environmentally friendly. The evolution of electric vehicle batteries represents not just a leap forward for the automotive industry but for the entire planet.
