Will a drop in green metal prices push electric vehicle battery prices lower?

Technology advances that have allowed electric vehicle battery makers to increase energy density, combined with a drop in green metal prices, will push battery prices lower than previously expected, according to Goldman Sachs Research.

Why are batteries so expensive?

There are two main drivers. One is technological innovation. We're seeing multiple new battery products that have been launched that feature about 30% higher energy density and lower cost. The second driver is a continued downturn in battery metal prices. That includes lithium and cobalt, and nearly 60% of the cost of batteries is from metals.

How much will a battery cost in 2022?

Global average battery prices declined from $153 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2022 to $149 in 2023, and they’re projected by Goldman Sachs Research to fall to $111 by the close of this year.

Are lithium-ion batteries a viable storage solution?

Plenty of lithium-ion alternatives are being actively piloted for their viability, technologies ranging from Natron’s sodium-ion battery to EnerVenue’s metal-hydrogen vessel; from gravity storage to IceBricks, it seems like there’s a storage solution for any situation.

Are lithium-ion batteries still economical?

Lithium-ion batteries are still the most economical solution for most situations, even without considering their trend downward pricing trend, but it takes a village, as they say- and ours should be doing all it can to ensure storage stays an economical solution for the foreseeable future.

Why are battery prices so low in 2023?

That includes lithium and cobalt, and nearly 60% of the cost of batteries is from metals. When we talk about the battery from, let's say, 2023 to all the way to 2030, roughly over 40% of the decline is just coming from lower commodity costs, because we had a lot of green inflation during 2020 to 2023. The level of those metal prices was very high.