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
The US aluminium industry is experiencing challenges related to tariffs, which have contributed to higher prices and premiums, raising questions about potential impacts on demand. Alcoa’s CEO has noted that sustained high prices could affect the domestic market. While trade agreements might provide some relief, analysts expect premiums to remain elevated in the near term. However, aluminum demand is projected to grow over the long term, supported by the energy transition and clean energy projects. To meet this demand, the industry will need to increase production, restart idle smelters and address factors such as electricity costs and global competition.
The DRC is set to decide on the future of its cobalt export ban on June 22, potentially extending, modifying or ending the policy. Aimed at boosting local refining and value creation, the ban has left global markets uncertain, with stakeholders calling for clarity as cobalt prices fluctuate and concerns over long-term demand grow.
Read Fastmarkets’ monthly battery raw materials market update for May 2025, focusing on raw materials including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and more
Cobalt Holdings plans to acquire 6,000 tonnes of cobalt. Following their $230M London Stock Exchange listing, this move secures a key cobalt reserve. With the DRC’s export ban affecting prices, the decision reflects shifting industry dynamics
The recent US-China agreement to temporarily reduce tariffs is a major step for global trade, with tariffs on US goods entering China dropping from 125% to 10% and on Chinese goods entering the US decreasing from 145% to 30% starting May 14. While this has boosted markets and created optimism, key industries like autos and steel remain affected, leaving businesses waiting for clearer long-term trade policies.
The US-China trade truce announced on May 12 has brought cautious optimism to China’s non-ferrous metals markets, signaling a possible shift in global trade. Starting May 14, the removal of additional tariffs has impacted sectors like battery raw materials, minor metals and base metals such as zinc and nickel, with mixed reactions. While the improved sentiment has lifted futures prices and trade activity, the long-term effects remain unclear due to challenges like supply-demand pressures and export controls.
Brazil is expected to become a reference in low-cost hard-rock lithium production and an investment hub for foreign companies. But some internal challenges remain for the country, such as funding and legal uncertainties, market participants told Fastmarkets.
Fastmarkets has partnered with the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to launch a series of cash-settled lithium, spodumene and cobalt futures contracts that will be settled against Fastmarkets assessments.
China is a key leader in lithium-ion battery recycling, implementing new national standards designed to strengthen supply chain security, improve efficiency and address increasing market demand by July 2025.
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
Battery raw materials events give you a front-row seat to one of the most dynamic and critical markets in today’s economy
Enable risk management using futures contracts