Electric vehicle battery prices fall while top models keep strong highway range

Over the past decade the cost of lithium‑ion batteries for electric cars has dropped sharply. A standard NMC (nickel‑manganese‑cobalt) pack now costs about $128 per kWh (≈112 €, a 65 % reduction from over $350/kWh ten years ago). Prices briefly rose in 2021‑22 due to spikes in lithium, nickel and cobalt, then fell as raw‑material markets normalized and Chinese production expanded. LFP (lithium‑iron‑phosphate) packs are cheaper, around $81/kWh (≈71 €), roughly 40 % less than NMC. The overall average mix sits near $108/kWh (≈95 €), and emerging sodium‑ion batteries are projected at $60‑90/kWh (≈53‑79 €), with further declines expected toward $70‑80/kWh by 2030.

Separate road‑tests of electric cars at 130 km/h show that high‑speed driving reduces range by about 40 %, yet some models retain impressive distances. The Mercedes CLA electric leads with 416 km at 130 km/h, followed by the Mercedes EQE (373 km), BMW iX (363 km) and Tesla Model Y (355 km). Efficiency and aerodynamics, rather than sheer battery size, drive these results, with BYD’s Seal also performing well among Chinese offerings.