TLDR - Battery Chemistries

ONYX can use different lithium batteries, each affecting performance, lifespan, safety, and cost. Most high-performance e-bikes use NMC for a balance of power and range, while LFP is known for safety and longevity.

Best Options

  • Range & Performance: NMC or NCA
  • Safety & Longevity: LFP or LTO
  • Budget Builds: LMO/NMC blends

Solid-State & Semi-Solid-State Batteries

New battery tech promises better energy density, safety, and lifespan. Semi-solid-state will arrive first (2025-2030), while full solid-state (Li-Metal, Li-S, Li-Ceramic) will take longer.

Battery Types

  • NMC: Good balance of range, power, and lifespan
  • NCA: Highest energy density, but shorter lifespan and higher overheating risk
  • LFP: Safest and longest lifespan, but heavier and lower energy density
  • LTO: Extremely long-lasting and safe but very heavy and expensive
  • LMO: Decent power but lower range and faster degradation

Future Batteries

  • Li-Metal: Higher energy, safer, expensive, and early-stage development
  • Semi-Solid-State: Safer, better energy density, coming soon
  • Li-S: Lighter, more energy, but poor cycle life (still in research)
  • Li-Ceramic: Fireproof, long-lasting, expensive, and hard to mass-produce

Battery Chemistries

ONYX’s can use various lithium battery chemistries, each with unique characteristics affecting performance, lifespan, safety, and cost. Most modern high-performance e-bikes and motorcycles use NMC due to its balance of energy density, power, and lifespan, while LFP is popular for safety and longevity-focused applications.

Which One is Best?

  • For Range & Performance: NMC or NCA
  • For Safety & Longevity: LFP or LTO
  • For Budget Builds: LMO/NMC blends

Solid-State and Semi-Solid-State

Solid-state and semi-solid-state lithium batteries are emerging technologies promising higher energy density, improved safety, and longer lifespan compared to conventional liquid electrolyte-based lithium-ion batteries.

Currently, semi-solid-state batteries will likely be the first to hit the market, offering improved safety and energy density over current lithium-ion batteries. Full solid-state (Li-Metal, Li-S, and Li-Ceramic) technologies are still under development and will likely become commercially available for high-performance motorcycles first before trickling down to e-bikes.

Expected Market Timeline

  • 2025-2030: Semi-solid-state batteries in premium e-bikes and electric motorcycles
  • 2030+: Full solid-state batteries (Li-Metal, Li-S, Li-Ceramic) in mass-market motorcycles and e-bikes

Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO₂ / NMC)

  • High energy density (better range for weight/size)
  • Balanced power output and longevity
  • Widely used in performance-oriented applications
  • More expensive than LiFePO₄
  • Degrades faster than LFP (typically 800-1500 cycles)

Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (LiNiCoAlO₂ / NCA)

  • Very high energy density (even better than NMC)
  • High power output
  • Shorter lifespan than LFP (around 500-1000 cycles)
  • Higher risk of overheating and thermal runaway

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄ / LFP)

  • Long lifespan (2000-5000 cycles)
  • Stable and safer (lower risk of thermal runaway)
  • Can handle deep discharges well
  • Lower energy density (less range per weight/volume)
  • Heavier than other lithium chemistries

Lithium Titanate (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ / LTO)

  • Extremely long lifespan (10,000+ cycles)
  • Fast charging capability
  • Ultra-stable and safe
  • Very low energy density (heavy and bulky)
  • Expensive

Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn₂O₄ / LMO)

  • Good power output and stability
  • Decent safety compared to NMC/NCA
  • Lower energy density (shorter range)
  • Faster degradation (around 300-700 cycles)

Solid-State Lithium Metal (Li-Metal)

Uses a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one, with a lithium metal anode for higher energy density. Eliminates dendrite formation, reducing fire risk and increasing longevity.

  • Ultra-high energy density (potentially 2x NMC)
  • Safer than conventional lithium-ion (no flammable liquid electrolyte)
  • Longer lifespan (expected 3,000+ cycles)
  • Expensive and not yet mass-produced at scale
  • Lower power output in some cases due to higher internal resistance
  • Temperature sensitivity (performance can drop in extreme cold)
  • Currently in early-stage testing for electric motorcycles (Zero Motorcycles, Kawasaki)
  • E-bike prototypes are being developed but not yet commercially available

Semi-Solid-State (Hybrid Solid Electrolyte)

Uses a hybrid approach, combining a gel or polymer-based electrolyte instead of a fully solid one. Reduces manufacturing complexity while still improving safety and energy density.

  • Better safety than liquid-based lithium-ion
  • Higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion
  • More stable under high temperatures
  • Not fully solid-state—still has some liquid components
  • Moderate cycle life improvement (not as long-lasting as full solid-state)
  • NMC-based hybrid batteries are in development for e-bikes
  • Expected in electric motorcycles in 2025-2030

Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) Solid-State

Uses sulfur as the cathode instead of heavy metals like cobalt or nickel. Can provide significantly higher energy density, but stability issues remain.

  • Higher energy density (potentially 3-5x that of NMC)
  • Lighter weight than conventional lithium-ion
  • No reliance on cobalt/nickel (more sustainable)
  • Poor cycle life (200-500 cycles unless further stabilized)
  • Still in research phase (limited real-world testing in e-bikes or motorcycles)
  • Under research for electric motorcycles and high-performance e-bikes
  • NASA and aerospace companies are actively working on this technology

Lithium Ceramic (Li-Ceramic) Solid-State

Uses a ceramic electrolyte (e.g., garnet-based) for extreme thermal stability and high conductivity. Extremely durable but currently hard to manufacture at scale.

  • Completely fireproof (can withstand extreme temperatures)
  • High energy density
  • Long cycle life
  • Difficult to mass-produce (ceramic materials are fragile)
  • Expensive
  • Some small-scale applications in medical and aerospace industries
  • Could be used in ultra-premium e-motorcycles if mass production becomes viable