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?
Show answer
Answer: C. Cobalt, lithium and nickel are the usual cathode materials in EV lithium-ion batteries (e.g. NMC, NCA cathodes). Graphite is used in the anode, not the cathode. So three of the four usually make up cathodes.
Watch for: Graphite is a critical battery mineral, but it goes into the anode, not the cathode.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong: three elements are used in cathodes.
- B. Wrong: three elements are used in cathodes.
- D. Wrong: graphite is an anode material.
Source to check: IEA, Global EV Outlook and 'The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions' (2021).
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.