
Batteries determine the performance, driving range, stability, and user experience of electric vehicles (EVs). Among them, lithium-ion batteries have established themselves as the key technology that enabled the EV era with their high energy density, efficiency, and long life cycle. Their use is expanding into diverse fields such as Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and the aerospace industry. Accordingly, the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries is accelerating with the aim of boosting energy density, supporting fast charging, and enhancing stability.
LG Energy Solution’s Senior Research Fellow Sung Joohwan discussed the current status and direction of battery technology trends during the Tech Session at the LG Tech Conference 2025. This article will take a closer look at the present and future of EV battery development, as explored in his presentation titled “The competition for survival between EVs and ICEVs.”
Four Major Components of Lithium-ion Batteries
Cathode materials typically include metal oxides such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, and aluminum. Nickel contributes to higher energy density, cobalt to safety, and manganese, an affordable option, to stability. Reflecting the recent rise in demand for LFP batteries, the use of iron, which improves stability and durability, is also increasing.
Anode materials are most commonly made with graphite. However, silicon is garnering attention as a next-generation anode alternative due to its higher energy density. LG Energy Solution is currently developing pure silicon-based anode materials. When commercialized, these are expected to extend the driving range of EVs from the current average of 500 km up to 800 km on one charge.
What is the Difference between Smartphone and EV batteries?

Batteries are used in a remarkably wide variety of areas in our daily lives. From small electronic devices like smartphones to EVs and ESSs, battery performance and management methods vary depending on their application and purpose. So, how do smartphone batteries differ from EV batteries?
The first major difference is battery capacity. Smartphones use low power, low voltage batteries, with each cell offering 10-20 Wh and 3.7-4.5 V. In contrast, EVs contain hundreds to thousands of cells, offering around 50-120 kWh. These cells are connected in series or parallel, grouped into modules, and then into a pack, which powers a high-voltage motor (300-800V).
Another major difference lies in thermal management. EV batteries are installed as large packs, and are equipped with thermal management systems, which effectively control battery heat primarily by circulating air or coolant inside the pack. In addition, the Battery Management System (BMS) monitors key battery conditions including charge/ discharge status and temperature, preventing issues such as overdischarging and overheating. LG Energy Solution holds multiple patents related to liquid cooling systems and BMS technology. In particular, it has the largest number of BMS-related patents in the world, demonstrating its world-class technological capabilities in thermal management as well.
In smartphones, on the other hand, a throttling mechanism slows down performance when the device overheats. Extended use can sometimes cause the smartphone to heat up and operate more slowly. This occurs because the system reduces performance automatically to prevent damage when the temperature rises above a certain threshold, a feature referred to as throttling.
Lastly, the recycling methods differ. While smartphone batteries are difficult to repurpose for reuse, EV batteries can be reused as ESSs. As explained earlier, EV batteries offer large capacity and output, which allows them to be reused in ESS applications even at 70-80% of their full capacity, making them a highly efficient option for recycling.
The First Step in EV Evolution: Extending Driving Range

In Korea, a widely adopted benchmark for EV driving range is “The ability to drive from Seoul to Busan (about 400 km) on a single charge.” Most EVs released recently are capable of traveling about 400 to 500 km on one charge, but the actual range may vary depending on air conditioner or heater use, and the driver’s habits. Therefore, the performance of batteries, the heart of EVs, must improve to ensure a sufficient driving range of over 500 km.
LG Energy Solution has categorized the battery market into three segments – Premium, Standard, and Affordable – based on criteria such as driving range, charging time, and energy density, and is developing customized batteries for each category. Its 2028 targets for pack capacities and driving ranges are over 150 kWh and 750 km for Premium, over 120 kWh and 720 km for Standard, and over 70 kWh and 490 km for Affordable.
Evolution of Cells and Packs to Achieve Innovative Driving Range
An equally important performance benchmark for EVs, alongside driving range, is “energy efficiency.” Just as fuel economy in internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) refers to the distance a car can travel on one liter of gas, energy efficiency indicates the distance an EV can travel on 1 kWh of electricity. The two concepts are fundamentally the same: the higher the value, the greater the efficiency.
ICEVs have fuel tanks sized according to vehicle type, and the energy content of the fuel is standardized. Therefore, improvements in fuel economy focus on factors other than the fuel itself, notably including reducing overall vehicle weight, enhancing engine and tire performance, and minimizing aerodynamic drag.
The same areas are being improved in EVs to boost energy efficiency, with the battery sector playing the most significant role.
The approach to increasing energy efficiency through batteries is broadly two-pronged. The first is enhancing energy density by diversifying materials. Specifically, this technology enables more energy to be stored in the same-sized battery cell by using lightweight materials with large energy capacity. LG Energy Solution has developed NCMA materials and produced high-nickel batteries with increased nickel content. With a nickel concentration of 60-90%, these batteries offer high energy density, making them appropriate for battery packs in Premium EVs and large trucks.
The second method is to reduce intermediate components to lower weight and to increase space efficiency to install more battery cells in the same-sized space.
A battery basically consists of cells, which are assembled into modules, and then into packs. The company eliminated the module stage, where battery cells are connected, and placed the cells directly into the pack, enabled by the development of the Cell to Pack (CTP) technology.
Batteries that apply CTP technology can increase energy density within the same space by filling the space previously occupied by modules with cells. Manufacturing costs are cut by reducing the number of components in the entire pack and simplifying the process, which contributes to higher price competitiveness.

LG Energy Solution’s CTP technology offers the first pouch-type CTP solution, enabling approximately 5% higher energy density by weight than prismatic CTP solutions. This feature is distinctive as it allows for solutions with higher energy efficiency tailored to the customer’s vehicle.
The company is going a step further with the development of Cell-To-Body (CTB) technology, which mounts cells directly onto the EV’s body. By further reducing components and simplifying processes, this method is expected to result in significant improvements in energy efficiency and price competitiveness.
EV Batteries: Will 5-Minute Fast Charging be Possible?
Fueling an ICEV takes about five minutes on average. In EVs, battery charging is the equivalent of fueling, and the time required is decreasing to match fueling times. Currently, many battery makers are pursuing various fast-charging technologies with the aim of charging up to 80% of battery capacity within five minutes.
Achieving an 80% charge in five minutes requires advancements across diverse areas.
First, a well-established charging infrastructure is essential. Fast charging needs a current of at least 1,000 A, along with a thick charging cable to support the flow of such a large current. The rapid passage of a large volume of electrons can generate heat caused by collisions with metal atoms in the cable, leading to resistance. Therefore, a cooling system must also be in place to dissipate the heat.

Second, since fast charging accelerates the charging speed of lithium ions, they land unevenly as they transfer from the cathode to the anode and grow in the form of dendrite, which is also the name of the phenomenon. This can degrade performance or damage the separator, prompting the development of various technologies to prevent their formation.
Current Status and Direction of Battery Technology for Fast Charging
Charging an EV battery in just five minutes – what technologies is the battery industry pursuing to turn this idea into reality?

Battery charging speed is determined during the electrode manufacturing process, where the anode is produced. In particular, the binder, which connects active materials and helps maintain the electrode structure, can cause resistance by hindering the transport pathways of lithium ions. Accordingly, the development of low-resistance binders is underway to enable faster charging.
In addition, LG Energy Solution developed Double Layer Slot Die Coating (DLD) technology in 2018. This technique enables the simultaneous coating of two types of electrode slurry, allowing the binder to be distributed more evenly inside the electrode. As a result, ion mobility improves, electrode resistance decreases, and eventually charging time is reduced.
Currently, EV batteries can be charged up to 80% within 10 minutes. However, the charging speed tends to slow down when the charging level reaches that point. This can be better understood by looking at the structure of graphite, a commonly used anode material.
The anode has a layered structure made of graphite, where carbon atoms are arranged in repeating hexagonal patterns. Lithium ions are stably stored between these layers.

When the state of charge is low, meaning the layers are empty or there is plenty of space, lithium ions can enter quickly and stack up in an orderly manner. Stage 2 in the picture shows this low charging level, where many vacant spots are available for lithium ion storage, enabling the lithium ions to quickly take their positions between the layers. In other words, fast charging is possible at this stage
However, as shown in Stage 1, when the charging level is high and many lithium ions are already stored in the anode layers, additional lithium ions cannot be inserted quickly. Also, there is little remaining space for storage.
Accordingly, silicon is considered a next-generation anode material, as it allows more lithium ions to be stored in the same volume. LG Energy Solution is pursuing porous-structured electrodes along with silicon anode materials.
A porous-structured electrode is designed with more pores and surface-applied nanomaterials to support easier and faster transfer of lithium ions. Nanomaterials offer a wider surface area, which accelerates reaction between the electrode and electrolyte, improving the efficiency of lithium ion insertion.
The Future of Transportation Driven by EVs
As a core means of transportation that symbolizes and drives the carbon-neutral era, EVs are steadily expanding their share in the transportation market. This shift is fueled by increased user awareness of EVs and policy support from global governments committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Above all, this progress has been made possible by the remarkable advancement of battery technology, a key factor in shaping EV performance. Batteries have rapidly evolved through continued R&D efforts, leading to material diversification and improvements in manufacturing processes. Consequently, EVs equipped with these batteries are also witnessing proportional growth in driving range, energy efficiency, and charging speed.
As a leader and battery powerhouse with around 30 years of experience and the largest patent holder in the industry, LG Energy Solution has pioneered the future of batteries based on its exceptional technological competitiveness and R&D capabilities. You can continue to look forward to the new future of batteries and innovation in EVs led by LG Energy Solution.