And here is where the new NCMA (nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum) battery chemistry, described in the same 2019 article, offers an advantage: it allows for raising the nickel content to about 90%, but without sacrificing battery longevity that much. NCMA technology is championed by LG Energy Solution, formerly part of LG Chem.
LG’s new NCMA (nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminum) reportedly use a 90% nickel cathode – reducing the use of cobalt. GM was expected to be the first to use LG’s new NCMA battery cells in the new GMC Hummer EV starting in September, but now a new report indicates that Tesla might get the cells first. Korean newspaper Business Korea reports:
Tesla is expected to become the first automaker to use LG Energy Solution’s new NCMA battery cells, which have a 90% nickel composition. Over the last few years, Tesla has been adopting more new chemistries in its battery cells for its electric vehicles, especially with new vehicles being produced at Gigafactory Shanghai.
NCMA technology is championed by LG Energy Solution, formerly part of LG Chem. SK Innovation, their competitor, seems to disagree that this new chemistry is required. They developed a 90% nickel battery which is still an NMC battery (proportions 9 : 0.5 : 0.5). And Samsung’s “Gen 5” battery is NCA (yes, NCA) but also close to 90% nickel content.
General Motors, in partnership with LG, is also using NCMA for their Ultium batteries. According to GM, Ultium is a whole architecture (batteries, motors, control software) that can be adapted to different vehicles.
Last year, it was reported that Tesla had reached an agreement with LG Energy Solution, one of the world’s biggest battery manufacturers, to use the company’s new NCMA battery cells. The nickel-rich NCMA battery chemistry has been something that LG has been working on for a while now, and it is expected to increase energy density of the cells.