In the latest Niro EV generation, Kia is utilizing battery cells from CATL for the first time. In the past, Kia’s electric vehicles have only used cells made by South Korean companies. Cost is cited as the cause of the change.
The Korean publication Hankook Ilbo revealed this in relation to a manager for Kia. In accordance with the report, the battery pack of the latest generation of the all-electric Kia Niro employs NCM cells from the Chinese firm CATL and thus, for the first time, no cells from South Korea. It has an energy content of 64.8 kWh.
Evidently, the lower prices were a major factor in the decision to move from CATL to SK Innovation (now SK On) as the cell supplier for the Niro EV. mentioning a “The Kia management did not want to remark because it was a private situation.
Kia had initially intended to transfer from SK On to LG Energy Solution, as Hankook Ilbo continues to report. On price alone, CATL might have prevailed. The paper suggests that the cost may be affected by both the cell chemistry employed and the economies of scale of the largest battery manufacturer in the world: The NCM811 cells from LGES and SK On had more nickel for higher energy density, but the CATL cell was an earlier design with more cobalt for faster charging at low temperatures, but at the expense of lower energy density.
“The CATL battery was selected in place of the domestic battery because it satisfied internal quality standards for (Kia) and the supply capacity was deemed enough.
There is reportedly rising anxiety in South Korea about Chinese cell manufacturers expanding there; some customers reportedly feel duped and appear to want to cancel their orders, the newspaper’s article states. In addition, “Hankook Ilbo is also flagging issues with the Chinese battery: “CATL, which mostly manufactures lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, has mass-produced NCM batteries in a car model for the first time. According to the study, this indicates that quality or safety have not been shown. But this is untrueNMC cells from CATL are used, among others, in the Mercedes EQE, Mercedes EQS, and BMW iX3.
Delivery of the Kia Niro EV’s second generation is anticipated to begin in July. In reality, the drive hasn’t changed much since the first generation: the battery capacity goes up just a little, from 64 to 64.8 kWh, and the maximum charging power stays at 75 kWh. However, battery preconditioning will be available in the future. The 39 kWh compact battery option will no longer be offered.
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What factory produces the Kia EV batteries?
In an effort to diversify its battery sources, Kia, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co., selected batteries from CATL – Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd – for its electric Niro crossover SUV, the Hankook Ilbo newspaper claimed, citing an anonymous Kia official.
According to industry watcher SNE Research, CATL is the largest battery manufacturer in the world, with a share of more than 35% of the rapidly expanding worldwide EV battery market, which analysts estimate to be worth tens of billions of dollars. CATL’s clients include Tesla Inc. and Volkswagen AG.
According to the article, the manufacturer considered cost-competitiveness while deciding on the Niro EV, which is targeted in the center of the auto market rather than the premium end. Financial and volume details of the battery transaction were not made public by the newspaper.
Chosun Ilbo, a local newspaper, said that CATL had been awarded a contract to supply batteries to the Hyundai Motor Group, the parent company of Kia and Hyundai Motor Co, as well as LG Energy Solution Ltd (LGES) and SK Innovation’s SK On.
Analysts predicted that Kia will be eager to use more affordable CATL batteries in the Niro EV in order to reduce costs. With batteries accounting for between 30 and 40 percent of the entire cost of manufacture, they are often the most expensive part of EVs.
According to Kevin Yoo, an analyst at Daol Investment & Securities, “this appears to be a logical course of business for South Korean automakers as they seek to increase EV sales and secure battery capacity… depending on only a few battery suppliers could be a danger element.”
According to the Hankook Ilbo newspaper, Kia has not yet informed its consumers of its choice to use CATL’s batteries.
For its electric cars intended for the South Korean market, Hyundai Motor and Kia have only so far employed batteries produced by two South Korean companies, LGES and SK On.
According to SNE Research, that partnership and local rival Samsung SDI Co Ltd control more than a quarter of the world’s EV battery market.
Who provides batteries to Kia?
The usage of CATL batteries was confirmed by Kia in a statement to Reuters. “With sales of its battery electric vehicles rising globally, Kia is partnering with numerous battery manufacturers to diversify and stable battery supply,” the company said. Without going into any detail, a CATL representative also confirmed the report.
Who makes EV batteries in the highest quantity?
Chinese battery producer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited, usually known as CATL, creates lithium-ion EV batteries. The world’s largest producer of lithium-ion batteries at the moment, CATL is in charge of producing 96.7 of the planet’s 296.8 gigawatt hours (GWh). There is little doubt that CATL, one of the largest and most renowned auto battery manufacturers in the world, will continue to place a high priority on excellence and innovation in the years to come.
The Kia Niro has what kind of a battery?
The Niro was introduced in a battery-electric form at the International Electric Vehicle Expo in Korea in 2018. In Asia and North America, it is known as the Niro EV, and in Europe, it is known as the e-Niro.
[28]
It has a similar drivetrain and battery setup to the Hyundai Kona Electric. Niro EV has two battery options: 64 kWh and 39.2 kWh. Lithium ion polymer batteries with liquid cooling are used. SK Innovation produces/supplies the batteries, as opposed to Kona Electric, which buys its batteries from LG Chem. [29]
According to WLTP, the 39.2 kWh version has a 100 kW (134 hp) permanent-magnet electric motor that produces 395 Nm (291 lb-ft) of torque and has a range of 288 km (179 mi) on a single charge, while the 64 kWh version has a more potent 150 kW (201 hp) motor that produces the same amount of torque and has a range of 455 km (283 mi).
[30] Each vehicle has front-wheel drive. The Niro EV’s official EPA range in the US is 239 miles (385 kilometers) on a full charge.
Both models feature a CCS charge connector that allows for up to 77 kW of DC quick charging. Power for the onboard charger is available at either 7.2 kW or 11 kW. [31]
Pre-orders for the Niro EV in South Korea begin on May 3, 2022.
[32] The Niro EV has a heat pump, a battery heating system, a 64.8 kWh high-voltage battery, and clever regenerative braking system 2.0. Furthermore, it has a WLTP combined range of 463 kilometers on a single charge. Additionally, the battery conditioning feature is used to automatically modify the battery temperature in accordance with the outside climate.
How long does the battery in a Kia E Niro last?
The 64kWh edition of the Kia e-Niro has an official range of 282 miles, while the 39kWh model that was added to the lineup in 2020 has a 180-mile range. As with other electric vehicles, expect those numbers to decline in the winter or if you drive a lot of highway miles because the battery is depleted more quickly at higher speeds. You’re even more likely to exceed the promised range for each model if you drive constantly at a modest pace.
How are EV6 batteries made?
Up to 310 miles of range on a single charge is the EPA rating for the Kia EV6. Before going on sale in the US, Kia revealed that its first next-generation electric vehicle, the EV6, had achieved its EPA rating. Based on the driving cycle, the EV6 has a range of up to 310 miles on a single charge.
How much does a Kia Niro battery replacement cost?
Best in Automotive Repair Between $5,575 and $5,617 is the typical price range for a Kia Niro hybrid high voltage battery replacement. While parts are priced at $5,417, labor costs are anticipated to be between $158 and $200. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account.
How long do the batteries in a Kia Soul EV last?
The normal battery life of a 2020 Kia Soul is 3 to 5 years, although actual battery life might vary greatly depending on driving behavior, weather, and battery type. Even yet, a battery’s performance may not be at its peak even if it isn’t fully dead.
Which lithium stock is the best to purchase?
Your individual investment objectives will ultimately determine which lithium stocks are ideal for your portfolio. This list of lithium stocks includes some of the best-performing businesses in the sector to help you with your research.
Albemarle (ALB)
Specialty chemical producer Albemarle is a market leader in the production of lithium, bromine, and catalysts for refineries. About 55% of ALB’s revenue comes from its largest business segment, lithium. Despite having their corporate headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, they are an American corporation that also has lithium mines in Chile and Australia.
One of the biggest producers of lithium for EV battery makers is Albemarle. In order to prevent disruptions from global supply chains, auto manufacturers are investing to treble their indigenous lithium output.
They invest in advanced materials research and development, including technologies for novel lithium battery materials, in addition to generating lithium for already-existing technologies. Albemarle is in a good position to profit from increased EV demand.
Sociedad Qumica y Minera de Chile (SQM)
Chilean Chemical and Mining Society SQM, or simply SQM, is a company established in Santiago, Chile. As a result, the business has easy access to some of South America’s greatest lithium reserves, including the salt flats in the Atacama Desert. The location of SQM aids in reducing their production costs. The company also makes iodine, potassium, industrial chemicals, and nitrates for fertilizers in addition to lithium.
Over the past year, SQM’s profits and revenue have grown significantly. When Chilean voters chose left-wing activist Gabriel Boric as president in late 2021, their stock did fall. Investors were concerned that he would demand greater environmental regulation of mining firms like SQM.
Despite these worries, investors thought that the strength of the lithium market exceeded the political risk, and SQM’s share price swiftly recovered to an even greater level. In January 2022, the Chilean government also granted SQM a contract for lithium development, demonstrating its support for the firm and need for their services.
Lithium Americas Corporation (LAC)
Lithium Americas Corporation was established in 2007 in Vancouver, Canada, making it a relatively new business. They are engaged in two significant lithium mining projects, one in Argentina and the other in Nevada’s Thacker Pass. The largest lithium resource known to exist in the United States is Thacker Pass, while LAC’s Argentina project would be the largest new brine operation for lithium production in 20 years.
Both of these initiatives are currently in the planning stages. LAC isn’t currently making money or manufacturing lithium. It is therefore riskier than other, more well-known businesses. They would, however, become one of the lithium stocks that may burst if they were to successfully launch their projects and meet the expected high demand for their supply.
Another top choice on this list, Ganfeng Lithium, is LAC’s largest shareholder. 11 percent of Lithium Americas Corporation is owned by Ganfeng.
Piedmont Lithium Limited (PLL)
Another newcomer in the lithium mining industry in the US is Piedmont Lithium Limited. PLL is planning to open lithium mines in Gaston County, North Carolina, Cape Coast, Ghana, and Quebec, Canada. The business is headquartered in North Carolina as well.
When Piedmont revealed in 2021 that it had struck a lithium supply agreement with Tesla, Inc. (TSLA), their stock price more than doubled. Since making this statement, Piedmont has been forced to postpone planned shipments to Tesla because to issues with government permits delaying the anticipated launch of their North Carolina mines.
Concerns about the project from Piedmont Lithium’s environmental impact have been expressed by North Carolina officials. They could decide to either delay it even longer or altogether stop the mine. PLL stock may be riskier than stocks of more seasoned lithium manufacturing companies due to this political risk and the fact that Piedmont is still not producing a profit. However, if they do decide to open their mine, shareholders should be paid once the large Tesla deal is completed.
Livent Corporation (LTHM)
The lithium technology business Livent makes batteries for EVs and portable electronics. Products for energy storage provide around half of their total income. In addition, they employ lithium to create sophisticated polymers and alloys for use in sporting footwear, aviation, and other products.
Philadelphia is where Livent is headquartered. Livent operates mines in Canada and Argentina to obtain the lithium required for their products. They are one of Tesla’s primary suppliers of lithium due to their resources.
Livent is a young business, but they are already making money and are profitable.
Over the previous year, their revenues significantly increased, rising from $288 million in 2020 to $420 million in 2021. Future revenues should also remain high if lithium prices do.
Ganfeng Lithium (GNENF)
China’s largest lithium miner is Ganfeng Lithium. Lithium is handled by Ganfeng throughout the entire production process. They primarily mine lithium from a huge deposit in Australia. The lithium ore is next refined and processed via deep salt processing and lithium metal smelting. Finally, they recycle lithium from used batteries and use it to make new batteries.
Ganfeng Lithium, one of the best lithium stocks, provides a number of benefits. They are well-positioned to assist China’s expanding EV sector. Additionally, they have strong cash on hand and profit margins. U.S. investors can purchase shares on the OTC market even though Ganfen Lithium’s stock is traded on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen stock exchanges.
Who provides Tesla with lithium?
They have also warned that the global lithium scarcity would last for at least another three years, but with Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO) Jadar project in Serbia recently canceled, the deficit would now last for a number of years.
Additionally, Tesla and Chinese company Ganfeng Lithium (SHE: 002460) have a supply agreement for lithium that will commence in 2022 and last for three years. The EV symbol also has contracts with BHP (ASX: BHP) for nickel and Syrah Resources (ASX: SYR), a company with a concentration on Mozambique, for graphite.
Who manufactures the top EV batteries?
In a recent analysis, SNE Research from South Korea listed the top 10 battery producers based on the amount of electric vehicle (EV, PHEV, HEV)-mounted batteries that will be sold globally in 2021.
According to the pie chart above, CATL holds the top rank and will be associated with 32.6% of all EV batteries installed in 2021. The installed power battery capacity of CATL increased by 167.13 percent to 96.7 GWh in 2021 from 36.2 GWh the previous year.
As LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Samsung SDI compete for the top three, five, and six slots on the list, respectively, you might also observe a conflict between China and South Korea. BYD, another Chinese firm, came in fourth place.
Last but not least, Panasonic’s bronze medal for 2021 represents Japan. A portion of the EV battery market that represents less than 3% of the total market is held by every other firm in the world.
The demand for EV batteries has never been higher with numerous new EV models set to go on sale this year and beyond. Who will be the largest battery producer in the world in 2019? Energy Solutions from LG Panasonic? Only time will tell.