Recharge Dec25 (Overstated forecasts, CATL, semi-solid batteries, battery costs, BESS)
Dec 18, 2025•43 min•Ep. 75
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Episode description
In December 2025’s Recharge podcast, co-presenters Matt Fernley (Battery Materials Review) and Cormac O’Laoire (Electrios Energy) review the key developments shaping the battery materials and energy storage sectors as the industry heads into 2026, including:
- Why lithium demand forecasts may be overstated, including assumptions around lithium intensity per kWh and EV battery pack sizes
- EV battery size trends, affordability, and the divergence between Europe and China, including the role of SUVs, crossovers and EREVs
- What does NIO’s decision to stop selling its semi-solid battery mean for the market?
- Battery pricing trends, BNEF pack cost benchmarks, and whether 2025 marks the trough for cell and pack costs
- Capacity utilisation, pricing pressure and why older gigafactories risk becoming uncompetitive
- BESS market dynamics, including strong cell shipments, slower installations, inventory build-ups and project delays
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