Battery Cost Index
Providing greater transparency into the cost of key Li-ion cell components
Volatile battery raw material prices, varying battery chemistries and differing manufacturing costs result in cell prices that appear opaque and subjective. This makes it difficult for market participants to budget effectively, anticipate price changes, bring transparency to transactions and effectively track cost changes over time.
The Fastmarkets Battery Cost Index is an easy-to-use cost model for total cell costs, including cost breakdown of active anode material (AAM), cathode active material (CAM), separator, electrolyte, other materials, energy, labor and operational costs across multiple chemistries and geographies. The Fastmarkets Battery Cost Index provides historical costs, changes over time and cell cost forecasts.
Key features of the Battery Cost Index
- Material and production costs for NMC (111, 532, 622, 811) and LFP
- Geographical cell cost summaries for China, South Korea, Germany and the United States
- Cell cost forecasts out to 2033
- Market-leading Fastmarkets price data to provide real-time CAM costs
- Written commentary on key drivers impacting cost and cost changes
- Historic monthly cell costs
Our battery cost index breaks down the cost, historical and forecast,
for different cell types and chemistries
We buy cathode material; this is a valuable tool to help us to understand how suppliers cost the cathodes, this can help us to have more informed negotiations.
Actionable insights and market intel on the battery materials market and how the cost of raw materials is impacting the cost of electric vehicles
Despite the current headwinds, strategic partnerships and continued investment in the right areas, coupled with the underlying strong long-term demand fundamentals, will pave the way for success for lithium producers, according to the participants of the executive panel during the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference, which took place from June 23-26 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The US needs well-defined and stable policy around critical minerals, energy transition and trade, while derisking projects and maintaining good relations with other countries to be able to establish sustainable electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage systems (ESS) supply chains in North America, according to industry experts.
The US and Europe must adopt long-term, consistent policies and should learn lessons from China, according to lithium industry experts speaking at Fastmarkets’ Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference in Las Vegas, US, over June 22-25.
Producers in Arkansas’ Smackover Formation are advancing lithium extraction projects following recent regulatory approvals. Supported by oil and gas expertise and state incentives, the region is positioning itself as a key player in the US lithium supply chain.
Battery recyclers remain under pressure, with tight margins among black mass producers and refiners amid a host of challenges for the industry, according to delegates at Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025, which took place in Last Vegas, Nevada, from June 23-26
The 2025 Fastmarkets Lithium Conference in Las Vegas highlighted critical issues shaping the battery supply chain, including lithium oversupply, funding struggles and the need for midstream investment. Discussions also emphasized the importance of interdependence with China and the challenges faced by recyclers amid policy uncertainty and market headwinds.
Global mining major Rio Tinto has sharpened its focus on lithium, betting not just on traditional hard rock or brine evaporation but on an emerging technology that could reshape the industry – direct lithium extraction (DLE)
The graphite industry in 2025 faces major challenges, including trade wars, high US tariffs on synthetic graphite and policy changes affecting EV manufacturing and tax credits. Low natural graphite prices, oversupply and slow EV growth make diversifying supply chains essential for market stability.
Analysts suggest that the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” may impact clean energy and battery manufacturing in the US by altering key incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).This may disrupt supply chains, cut investment in renewable energy and raise costs for electric vehicles, home energy products and other clean technologies.
Keep on top of volatility with battery materials news and intel
Trade on market-reflective prices
Access critical short- and long-term forecasts in a new generation of energy markets
Gain a competitive edge in the emerging battery recycling market
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