Are Battery Makers Shifting Towards High Voltage Mid-Nickel?

May 1, 2025 | Battery Metals, Industry News, Li-Ion Battery Recycling

As global demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to surge, manufacturers are racing to refine chemistries that deliver better performance, lower costs, and enhanced safety. One formulation gaining significant momentum is high voltage mid-nickel cathodes- an evolution in battery design that could redefine the landscape for electric vehicles (EVs). But does this mark the beginning of a broader industry shift, or is it just one piece of a fast-evolving puzzle?

Why High Voltage Mid-Nickel Is Gaining Ground

Nickel-based cathodes have long been favoured in EV applications for their high energy density. Mid-nickel variants, typically containing 60-70% nickel, build on this foundation by offering a well-balanced combination of performance, cost-efficiency, and material accessibility.

This next-step evolution in lithium-ion technology has not emerged in a vacuum. High voltage mid-nickel has been developed in part to meet rapidly shifting consumer expectations- delivering range, affordability, and safety that rivals internal combustion vehicles. Simultaneously, it provides a route for manufacturers, particularly outside of China, to remain competitive by reducing reliance on high-cost or geopolitically sensitive materials like cobalt. While China has doubled down on LFP chemistries, high-voltage mid-nickel offers global players an alternative pathway that supports cost reduction without sacrificing performance.

Built to Meet Demand, Designed for the Future

What’s remarkable is the pace at which battery innovation has moved. In just a few years, the industry has transitioned from early formulations to sophisticated chemistries optimised for different use cases. High-voltage mid-nickel is a clear example of this progress, delivering on key requirements across the board.

No single chemistry is set to dominate every application. LFP remains dominant in the East, while sodium-ion is beginning to carve out its place in grid-scale storage due to its strong cycle life and abundance of materials. However, sodium-ion lacks the power density to compete in the EV space. Mid-nickel fills a critical middle ground, offering a practical, scalable solution for mainstream mobility and storage applications alike.

Enabling Scalable, Sustainable Growth

For OEMs, integrators, and recyclers, the emergence of high-voltage mid-nickel presents an exciting opportunity. These batteries are designed with performance and recovery in mind. The increased nickel content enhances the material value of end-of-life units, supporting both circular economy models and supply chain resilience.

At Recyclus Group, we’re well-positioned to support this next generation of batteries. Our existing infrastructure is capable of safely treating, discharging, and recycling high-voltage mid-nickel cells, ensuring valuable materials are recovered and reintroduced into the battery ecosystem. As new formulations continue to emerge, we remain committed to enabling circularity across all chemistries.

An Ongoing Evolution

So, are battery makers truly shifting toward high-voltage mid-nickel? The reality is more nuanced. This is not a race with a single winner, but a sector-wide evolution in response to economic, geopolitical, and consumer drivers. High voltage mid-nickel is not a niche solution- it’s a strategic development that brings the industry closer to the goals of affordability, performance and sustainability, offering tangible benefits today while helping shape the battery technologies of tomorrow.

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