The Cost & Materials War

Who's cheapest and least supply-constrained? LFP dropped cobalt; sodium-ion drops lithium entirely, using Earth's 6th-most-abundant element.

The top 3

  1. LFP Killed Cobalt: Iron-and-phosphate cells use no cobalt or nickel, pushing packs toward ~$100/kWh and capturing 40%+ of global EV batteries.
  2. Sodium-Ion: The Cheapest Bet: No lithium, no copper — abundant sodium on aluminum foil. CATL's Naxtra line and BYD plants aim to undercut even LFP on price.
  3. NMC's Nickel-Cobalt Burden: Top density comes with pricey, geopolitically fraught nickel and cobalt — the reason automakers keep migrating toward LFP.

Sources

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