UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2025

In the context of electric vehicle batteries, consider the following elements: I. Cobalt II. Graphite III. Lithium IV. Nickel. How many of the above usually make up the cathode of the battery?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. Only three
  4. All the four

Answer

Correct Answer

Only three

Explanation

In common lithium-ion EV battery chemistries (e.g., NMC - Nickel Manganese Cobalt), the cathode is typically composed of lithium along with cobalt and nickel. Graphite, however, is primarily used in the anode, not the cathode. Hence three of the four (Cobalt, Lithium, Nickel) usually make up the cathode.

Topics: battery chemistry, ev batteries, science and technology