Chemistry

NMC / NCA

Nickel-manganese-cobalt / nickel-cobalt-aluminium

The nickel-rich chemistries: they store more energy in less weight, so they deliver more range. They dominate mid- and high-end Western EVs.

NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) and NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminium) are cousins: both use lots of nickel to pack more energy into fewer kilos. That's why they show up in the longest-range EVs: Tesla outside China, the Hyundai/Kia models, almost every European brand.

The price of that density is faster aging if you leave them sitting at 100% for long stretches, especially in heat. The classic 'charge to 80% for daily use' advice comes straight from these chemistries.

Their voltage curve is steeper than LFP's, which makes estimating charge from voltage easier — but also makes them more demanding on thermal management.

Related terms