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 battery cathodes?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) Only three
In a lithium-ion cell the cathode is a metal-oxide material built from lithium with nickel, cobalt (and manganese), as in the common NMC type. Graphite is the anode material, not part of the cathode. So three of the four elements make up cathodes.
- ✓ I Cobalt is one of the metals in the active cathode material.
- ✗ II Graphite forms the anode of the cell, not the cathode.
- ✓ III Lithium is a cathode mineral (the IEA lists lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese for the cathode).
- ✓ IV Nickel is a main cathode metal; nickel-rich cathodes are a key trend in EV batteries.
Remember · EV battery cathode: lithium with nickel, cobalt (and manganese). Anode: graphite.
Sources
- IEA: The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions (2021), battery minerals ↗ · reference work “Cells typically account for 70% to 85% of the total battery weight, and contain a number of minerals in the active cathode material (e.g. lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese), anode (e.g. graphite), and current collector (e.g. copper)”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2025, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·