Introduction
Batteries are the backbone of modern technology, powering everything from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage systems. As the world shifts toward electrification and renewable energy, the demand for efficient, high-performance batteries continues to grow. But have you ever wondered what elements batteries use to make them function? In this article, we’ll explore the key elements used in different types of batteries and their significance in energy storage.
Market Overview – The Expanding Battery Industry
To understand what powers modern batteries, it’s important to look at the bigger picture—the industry itself.
Market Growth and Rising Material Demand
The global lithium–ion battery market size is calculated at USD 115.89 billion in 2025 and is forecasted to reach around USD 499.31 billion by 2034 (Precedence Research, 2025). This surge is fueled by the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), grid-scale energy storage, and consumer electronics—sectors that heavily rely on high-capacity and efficient batteries. As production scales up, so does the need for critical elements such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which form the foundation of modern energy storage solutions.
Technological Innovation and Material Shifts
Advancements in battery technology are reshaping the materials landscape. Solid-state batteries, sodium-ion alternatives, and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) improvements are gaining traction due to their potential to enhance energy efficiency, improve safety, and reduce reliance on scarce or geopolitically sensitive resources. From April 2024, Chinese EV manufacturer Nio has mass-produced a next-generation battery, offering an unprecedented 1,000 km range and utilizing a rapid battery-swapping system. These innovations are gradually shifting industry focus from traditional materials toward alternative elements such as sodium and zinc, which offer sustainability and cost advantages.
Adapting to Supply Chain and Sustainability Challenges
Cost, performance, supply chain stability, and environmental impact shape material selection in battery production. Price volatility, geopolitical risks, and resource challenges are driving manufacturers to explore alternative chemistries and recycling. Stricter regulations and sustainability goals further push the industry toward closed-loop supply chains and greener technologies, increasing interest in non-traditional elements for long-term material security.
While lithium, cobalt, and nickel remain essential, alternatives like sodium and zinc are gaining traction for their cost and sustainability benefits. This transition raises a fundamental question:
What elements power modern batteries, and how will they shape the future of energy storage?
Key Elements Used in Batteries
As battery technology advances, material selection remains crucial for performance, cost, and sustainability. The next section explores the key elements powering modern batteries and their market dynamics.
1. Lithium: The Star of Rechargeable Batteries
When asked what element is used in batteries, lithium often tops the list. The global demand for lithium-ion battery cells is forecast to increase from approximately 700 gigawatt-hours in 2022 to 4,700 gigawatt-hours in 2030. (). Lithium-ion batteries are the gold standard for portable electronics and electric vehicles (EVs) due to their:
– High energy density (storing more power in less space).
– Long lifespan and rechargeability.
– Lightweight properties.
Lithium’s reactivity allows efficient electron flow, making it ideal for energy storage. Over 60% of lithium production goes into batteries, driven by the EV revolution. Previously, researchers at POSTECH have developed an electrolyte strategy that boosts lithium-rich layered oxide (LLO) durability, achieving 84.3% energy retention after 700 cycles—far enhancing battery lifespan and stability.
2. Cobalt: The Stability Booster in Batteries
Cobalt plays a crucial role in ensuring performance and longevity. It is a key component in lithium-ion batteries, particularly in nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) and nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) chemistries, which power electric vehicles (EVs) and portable electronics. Cobalt’s importance in batteries comes from its ability to:
– Enhance stability, preventing overheating and battery degradation.
– Improve energy density, allowing longer-lasting power storage.
– Extend battery lifespan, making devices and EVs more durable.
While cobalt improves battery performance, its supply chain poses challenges due to geopolitical concerns and ethical mining issues. As a result, manufacturers are exploring cobalt-free alternatives. Researchers at NIT Rourkela have also developed a magnesium-based cathode, providing a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to cobalt.
3. Nickel: Boosting Energy Density and Performance
Nickel is a vital element in modern battery technology, as well as in NCM and NCA lithium-ion batteries, which power EVs and grid storage systems. Its demand is rising as manufacturers seek to improve battery efficiency while reducing reliance on cobalt. Nickel’s key benefits in batteries include:
– Higher energy density, enabling longer battery life and extended EV range.
– Improved stability, enhancing battery performance and charge retention.
– Reduced reliance on cobalt, lowering costs and addressing supply chain concerns.
As the battery industry moves toward high-nickel, low-cobalt chemistries, nickel is becoming even more essential in next-generation energy storage solutions.
4. Graphite: The Unsung Hero of Anodes
Graphite makes up nearly 50% of the weight of a lithium-ion battery and serves as the primary material for battery anodes. Graphite’s key advantages in batteries include:
– High conductivity, allowing efficient electron flow for fast charging.
– Stability and durability, ensuring long battery life.
– Lightweight properties, enhancing energy efficiency.
Unlike lithium, nickel, or cobalt, graphite is widely available, but producing high-purity synthetic and natural graphite for batteries remains a challenge. As innovations continue, researchers are also exploring silicon-graphite composites to further enhance battery performance.
5. Lead-Acid Batteries: A Legacy Element
Before lithium-ion technology dominated the market, lead-acid batteries were the go-to power source for vehicles, backup power systems, and industrial applications. Found in cars and backup power systems, these batteries include:
– Sulfuric acid as the electrolyte.
– Low cost, making them an affordable energy storage solution.
– High power output, ideal for applications requiring quick energy bursts, such as car starters.
– Recyclability, with over 95% of lead-acid batteries being recycled, making them one of the most sustainable battery types.
While lead-acid batteries are heavier and have lower energy density than lithium-ion alternatives, they remain essential for automotive, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and off-grid energy storage applications.
6. Emerging Elements: Sodium, Zinc, and Beyond
To address resource limitations, new battery chemistries aim to reduce reliance on scarce elements like lithium and cobalt while minimizing environmental impact. Key innovations include:
– Sodium-ion batteries: Use abundant sodium instead of lithium.
– Zinc-air batteries: Leverage zinc’s stability for grid storage.
– Graphite and manganese: Commonly used in anodes and cathodes.
While batteries support clean energy, mining lithium, and cobalt raises environmental and ethical concerns. To mitigate these issues, the industry is improving recycling, adopting ethical mining practices, and investing in sustainable alternative materials.
Supply Chain & Material Scarcity
As battery demand rises, securing key materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel faces challenges from geopolitical risks, resource scarcity, and environmental concerns. Next, we explore how supply chain dynamics impact the industry’s future.
Lithium–One of the primary challenges lies in lithium supply. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA, 2023), global lithium supply is projected to reach 1.5 million metric tons by 2030, yet demand is expected to outstrip supply by 20% as early as 2025.
Cobalt–Cobalt sourcing is a major concern, with over 70% of the world’s cobalt production concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (USGS, 2023). The heavy reliance on a single country raises geopolitical and ethical concerns, particularly regarding human rights violations and supply chain transparency.
Nickel–Nickel supply is subject to volatility, with Indonesia and the Philippines being the largest global producers. While these countries have abundant reserves, export regulations and processing bottlenecks could disrupt supply chains, leading to price fluctuations and material shortages (Reuters, 2024).
Graphite–Graphite faces growing supply constraints due to export controls imposed by China, which refines over 90% of the world’s battery-grade graphite (WSJ, 2023). In 2023, China restricted exports of synthetic graphite, further tightening the global supply chain.
Conclusion
Battery technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, with a strong focus on sustainability, performance, and supply chain security.
Key Industry Trends:
- Next-Generation Innovations: Solid-state and sodium-ion batteries are gaining momentum, promising safer and more efficient energy storage.
- Circular Economy Expansion: Recycling initiatives will play a crucial role in ensuring material security and reducing environmental impact.
- Geopolitical Shifts: The push for localized battery supply chains is aimed at reducing reliance on geopolitically unstable regions.
Understanding these materials not only highlights the science behind our devices but also underscores the urgency of developing greener battery solutions.
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