Before someone buys a regular petrol or diesel vehicle, they often consider the engine capacity, power output, number of cylinders (in 4-wheelers), RPM, torque, and what not. But that is not applicable for electric vehicles, is it? Well, there’s no engine so you can’t check that, but it does have a battery.
Now, generally, higher numbers in the spec sheet are better but there’s a key feature people often miss when considering their EV purchase. Since its an entirely new concept for the majority of people, they often fail to consider what type of battery they are choosing.
Yes, type of battery.
There are two types, LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) and NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) batteries. Both are lithium-ion based chemistries but they are significantly different.
Don’t worry, I’ve done my research so you don’t have to. We will gauge these two types on various factors. And at the end, I will also bust a few myths so you don’t get caught up in baseless rumors.
Battery Lifespan
Okay, lets talk about the thing that everyone wants to know. Which battery lasts longer? Technically, LFP batteries have a longer lifespan than NMC batteries.
But its really not that simple.
You see, a battery’s life is measured in cycles of charge and discharge. NMC batteries often have around 1000 to 3000 cycles while LFP batteries have around 2000 to 6000 cycles. But NMC batteries offer more range in a single cycle, while LFP batteries discharge rather quickly.
For example, if an NMC battery has 1000 cycles, and offers 700 km range in a single cycle, you can use that battery to travel 3,00,000 km.
At the same time, LFP battery has 2000 cycles, and offers 350 km range in a single cycle, it will go the same distance.
The difference? You will be charging the LFP battery far more frequently than the NMC battery. That’s it.
Charging
Since we’re on the topic, let’s talk about their charging behavior because this is important.
When charging an LFP battery, it is necessary to charge it to a 100%. Why? Well, the system that measures the State of Charge of the battery actually calculates it by the voltage of the battery. LFP batteries don’t have much difference in voltage at low charge and high charge until it reaches nearly 100% charging. Which means there is no way to know the actual SoC of an LFP battery. The system actually does a backward calculation based on how much you travel. The system resets when you charge to 100% and reduces the number gradually based on your usage. Additionally, LFP does not handle DC Fast Charging too well.
NMC batteries, on the other hand, don’t have such issues and are recommended to be charged from 20 to 80% and are much better at handling DC Fast Charging.
Range Difference
Let’s come to the range difference. Why is it different exactly? For this, you need to know Energy Density. Energy density is the amount of energy stored per kilogram of the battery. Generally measured in kW/kg, it is the deciding factor for the performance of the battery.
LFP batteries generally have an energy density of 160 kW/kg while NMC batteries measure up to 250 kW/kg. Yes, its that big of a difference.
More energy density means better performance especially in acceleration and range which are critical in EVs. NMC is then generally better in terms of performance, while LFP are better at storing energy, excelling in endurance.
So you see, NMC is better when it comes to performance and LFP is better for longevity.
If you attention, you’ll notice that brands like Kia and Hyundai use NMC batteries, while cars like Tata Tiago use LFP batteries. Long Range models are often equipped with NMC batteries, like in Tata Harrier EV and Mahindra’s EVs.
Thermal Stability
LFP batteries are generally more thermally stable than NMC batteries, and they’re able to withstand higher temperatures. LFP, then, performs better in hot climates than NMC.
But in cold temperatures? LFP performance dips down by 20% in sub-zero temperatures and gets worse in really cold regions.
NMC batteries are well-balanced, functioning well in both low and high temperatures. Which means they maintain a steady performance in cold temperatures too.
Myth Busting!
When it comes to EV batteries, there are so many myths that keep people from switching to EVs. So, let me clarify a few things.
Myth - EV batteries don’t last long.
Fact - Most EV batteries last 8 to 15 years depending on usage and climate. Most manufacturers even offer 8-year or 160,000+ km warranties.
Myth - Small issues with the battery will mean replacing the entire battery pack.
Fact - Modern batteries are modular. Individual modules or cells can be replaced, reducing cost and waste.
Myth - EV batteries are worse in the cold
Fact - Cold temperatures reduce range temporarily, but EVs still operate. Brands like Tata, Hyundai, and Mahindra have thermal management systems and heat pumps to improve cold-weather performance. Plus NMC batteries are generally okay in the cold.
Myth - Charging too often kills the battery.
Fact - Modern EVs use Battery Management Systems (BMS) that prevent overcharging. You can plug in daily, especially with AC slow charging, without harming the battery.
Myth - Fast charging ruins battery health.
Fact - While frequent fast charging can slightly accelerate degradation, most EVs handle it well if it’s not the primary charging method. BMS ensures thermal safety.
Myth - EV batteries are not recyclable.
Fact - EV batteries are highly recyclable. There are companies that extract valuable metals (lithium, cobalt, nickel) from old packs.
Myth - EV batteries lose range very fast over time.
Fact - Battery degradation is gradual. Most EVs lose only 2–3% per year, and proper care (not overcharging, avoiding extremes) slows it even more.
Ultimately, I would recommend that you choose a car based on its features and then consider the battery type. Whether LFP is better or NMC, that is for you to decide.
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