CHART: Prismatic cells capture 69% of global EV battery market

Alongside the change in the mix of cathode chemistries towards LFP, the increasing use of prismatic cells is arguably the most pronounced trend on the global EV battery market of the last few years.  

Electrified vehicles powered by batteries packed with prismatic cells represented 69% of the global market on a GWh deployed basis in 2024, up from a 42% share in 2020.  

The combined battery capacity of EVs sold last year equipped with prismatic cells totaled 596.9 GWh, a 39% jump over the year before compared to growth of 4% for pouch cells and a 2% decline for cylindrical form factors. 

The corollary numbers for LFP batteries are 40% last year compared to a mere 6% share of battery capacity deployed worldwide in 2020.

The switch to the LFP cathode chemistry and the uptrend in prismatic cell deployment kicked off in earnest with the release of BYD’s so-called Blade battery early in 2020 which saw the battery manufacturer also switch to an all LFP model lineup.  

As the name suggests, the BYD blade battery is long and thin compared to the more box-like structure of earlier prismatic cells. This structure achieves greater energy density at the pack level to overcome some of the limitations associated with LFP cathode chemistries compared to nickel-rich cells.  

BYD, now the world’s top EV maker in both sales and battery capacity deployed (overtaking Tesla on a GWh basis in 2024 according to Adamas data), is reported to be launching a new version of the blade cell pack some time this year, to follow up the company’s new widely-discussed fast-charging technology announced in March.  

Contact the Adamas team to learn more or check out the intelligence services below.