The price of old batteries plummets

Are lithium-ion battery prices falling?

The price of lithium-ion battery cells declined by 97% in the last three decades. A battery with a capacity of one kilowatt-hour that cost $7500 in 1991 was just $181 in 2018. That’s 41 times less. What’s promising is that prices are still falling steeply: the cost halved between 2014 and 2018. A halving in only four years.

Are battery cell prices falling?

We are in the midst of a year-long acceleration in the decline of battery cell prices – a trend that is reminiscent of recent solar cell price reductions. Since last summer, lithium battery cell pricing has plummeted by approximately 50%, according to Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer.

Are battery storage costs falling?

Fortunately, this hurdle may soon be overcome due to the plummeting costs of battery storage, as outlined in a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA's "Batteries and Secure Energy Transitions" report finds that capital costs for battery storage systems are projected to fall by up to 40 percent by 2030.

How much does a car battery cost?

At our 2018 price, the battery costs around $7,300. Imagine trying to buy the same model in 1991: the battery alone would cost $300,000. Or take the Tesla Model S 75D, which has a 75 kWh battery. In 2018 the battery costs around $13,600; in 1991, it would have been $564,000. More than half a million dollars for a car battery.

How much does a lithium battery cost in 2023?

Since last summer, lithium battery cell pricing has plummeted by approximately 50%, according to Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer. In early summer 2023, publicly available prices ranged from CNY 0.8 ($0.11)/Wh to CNY 0.9/Wh, or about $110/kWh to $130/kWh.

Are EV battery prices falling?

Now, as reported by CnEVPost, large EV battery buyers are acquiring cells at CNY 0.4/Wh, representing a price decline of 50% to 56%. Leapmotor CEO Cao Li said the company expects further reductions, with prices potentially dropping to CNY 0.32/Wh this summer, for a decline of 60% to 64% within a single year.