According to a recent analysis, the average price of lithium-ion battery packs for electric vehicles fell by 20 per cent to USD 115 per kilowatt hour in 2024 - the sharpest price drop since 2017.
For the study, the experts at BNEF analysed 343 'data points' (i.e. known battery prices) from electric cars, electric buses and electric trucks. At 115 USD/kWh, a 75-kWh battery would cost 8,625 dollars or about 8,220 euros. For a 50 kWh pack, it would be 5,750 dollars or 5,480 euros.
Our researchers forecast that average battery prices could fall towards $80/kWh by 2026, amounting to a drop of almost 50% from 2023, a level at which battery electric vehicles would achieve ownership cost parity with gasoline-fueled cars in the US on an unsubsidized basis. Source: Company data, Wood Mackenzie, SNE Research, Goldman Sachs Research
Some EV owners are taken by surprise when they discover the cost of replacing their batteries. Depending on the brand and model of the vehicle, the cost of a new lithium-ion battery pack might be as high as $25,000:
Battery prices directly impact electric vehicles' overall affordability, performance, and sustainability. In 2024, technological developments, supply chain dynamics, and brand initiatives will define cost differences among key EV manufacturers in the United States.
How much does a Ford EV battery cost?
Ford's foray into the EV industry with the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning demonstrates the company's dedication to inexpensive battery solutions. Battery cost per kWh is approximately $115-$130. Model-specific costs: Mustang Mach-E (75 kWh): $8,625-$9,750. F-150 Lightning (98 kWh): $11,270-$12,740. Strategies for cost reduction:
Which EV batteries will be more affordable in the future?
Nickel-based EV batteries, as well as lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, will both benefit from lower commodity prices. Lower-cost LFP batteries, which are currently used in about 40 percent of EV batteries, should become even more affordable in the future. What Other EV Battery Technologies Exist?