The Q4/2023 breakdown of NMC vs LFP costs is interesting as a point in time regarding the full cost comparison and potential as well as the current competition between Europe vs. Chinese supply chains. Here we have a comparison pulled together by P3 Group.
As stated, Chinese LFP cell manufacturers especially profit from:
- access to low cost material processes due to vertical integration and existing scale up
- cheaper off-the-shelf equipment and environmental permitting and regulations
- lower labour costs and shift model options
- government subsidy programs targeting CAPEX and OPEX
Overall there is a up to 19% cost increase for NMC over LFP including the CN vs. EU localization effects on a pure reference cost comparison (excl. pricing and subsidy effects) and this ratio is maintained from materials to total cell product cost.
The cost of energy, labour and overheads is slightly higher for LFP per kWh due to the lower energy density of LFP vs. NMC, but if we normalise that against mass (180Wh/kg for LFP vs 240Wh/kg for NMC) then the $/kg cost is roughly the same.
Around Q2/2024 the LFP cell prices in the Chinese domestic market dropped below $60/kWh and it is now known that BYD are now driving this prices down to ~$44/kWh by pressuring the supply chain as well as further utilizing their market position regarding scale and vertical integration.