The price of lithium-ion battery packs has dropped 14% to a record low of $139/kWh, according to analysis by research provider BloombergNEF (BNEF). This was driven by raw material and component prices falling as production capacity increased across all parts of the battery value chain, while demand growth fell short of some industry expectations.
The industry continues to switch to the low-cost cathode chemistry known as lithium iron phosphate (LFP). These packs and cells had the lowest global weighted-average prices, at $130/kWh and $95/kWh, respectively. This is the first year that BNEF's analysis found LFP average cell prices falling below $100/kWh.
Why are lithium iron phosphate batteries so expensive?
According to IEA's latest report, the price of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries was heavily impacted by the surge in battery mineral prices over the past two years, primarily due to the increased cost of lithium, its critical mineral component.
The global average price of lithium-ion battery packs has fallen by 20% year-on-year to USD 115 (EUR 109) per kWh in 2024, marking the steepest decline since 2017, according to BloombergNEF's annual battery price survey, unveiled on Tuesday. Battery storage system. Image by: Aurora Energy Research.
BNEF forecasts pack prices to decline by USD 3 per kWh in 2025. (USD 1 = EUR 0.950) The global average price of lithium-ion battery packs has fallen by 20% year-on-year to USD 115 (EUR 109) per kWh in 2024, marking the steepest decline since 2017, according to BloombergNEF's annual battery price survey, unveiled on Tuesday.
Lithium Hydroxide: Typically sourced from lithium-rich salt lakes or brines, primarily used to produce lower-cost, lower-energy density lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Price: $10,550/ton.
How much does lithium carbonate cost?
Price: $10,550/ton. Lithium Carbonate: Derived from spodumene ore mining, offering higher energy density and commonly used in nickel, cobalt, and manganese (NCM) battery chemistries. Price: $10,400/ton. The chart compares various lithium production projects worldwide, showing how their costs relate to these prices.