Lithium batteries power an enormous range of devices, from the smartphone in your pocket to satellites orbiting Earth. Electric vehicles now account for more than 70% of all lithium-ion battery deployment globally, according to the International Energy Agency, followed by grid-scale energy storage at over 15%. Consumer electronics, once the dominant use case, has dropped to below 5% of total demand as of 2025, even though nearly every portable device still runs on lithium chemistry.
Smartphones, Laptops, and Portable Electronics
Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries displaced older nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride technologies to become the standard power source in portable electronics. The reason is straightforward: lithium batteries pack more energy into a smaller, lighter package and lose their charge slowly when sitting idle. As smartphones added larger screens, faster processors, and more sensors, the demand for compact, high-density batteries only accelerated.
Today, lithium batteries power smartphones, laptops, tablets, e-readers, wireless earbuds, portable speakers, handheld gaming devices, and cameras. Virtually any rechargeable portable device manufactured in the last decade uses some form of lithium cell.
Electric Vehicles
The single largest consumer of lithium-ion batteries is the electric vehicle market. Most all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids use lithium-ion battery packs, though the specific chemistry differs from what you’d find in a phone. EV packs are engineered for longevity and high power output over thousands of charge cycles. One common chemistry, lithium iron phosphate (LFP), can retain more than 95% of its original capacity after 1,000 full charge cycles. An EV battery is typically considered end-of-life for vehicle use once it drops below 80% of its original capacity, at which point it can still be repurposed for less demanding applications like stationary energy storage.
Beyond passenger cars, lithium batteries also power electric buses, e-bikes, electric scooters, and electric motorcycles. Research is underway to extend lithium-ion technology into all-electric passenger aircraft as well.
Grid-Scale Energy Storage
Large battery installations are becoming a critical part of the electrical grid, and lithium-ion is the dominant chemistry for these projects. Utility-scale battery systems solve a fundamental problem with solar and wind energy: the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. These battery installations store excess electricity generated during ideal conditions and release it when demand peaks or generation drops.
The benefits extend beyond smoothing out renewable energy. Grid batteries reduce the frequency of power outages in two ways. They can discharge stored electricity during peak demand periods, taking pressure off the grid. And during extreme weather events that knock out transmission lines, they can serve as a localized power source to keep communities running while infrastructure is repaired. They also absorb excess electricity from rooftop solar panels in neighborhoods that produce more power than they consume, storing it for later use.
These installations are growing fast enough that battery energy storage now represents over 15% of all lithium-ion deployment globally, up from a negligible share just a few years ago.
Cordless Power Tools and Industrial Equipment
The construction and manufacturing industries have shifted heavily toward cordless tools powered by lithium-ion batteries. Drills, impact drivers, circular saws, grinders, sanders, and demolition tools all now come in battery-powered versions that rival or match the performance of corded alternatives. Construction alone accounts for over 45% of total power tool battery demand, with industrial manufacturing making up nearly 25%.
Warehouse and logistics operations have also adopted lithium batteries for forklifts and automated guided vehicles, replacing older lead-acid batteries that required lengthy charging times and regular maintenance. Lithium packs charge faster, last longer, and don’t need the same level of upkeep.
Spacecraft and Satellites
Weight is everything in space, and lithium-ion batteries’ high energy density makes them one of the primary power sources for spacecraft. Every kilogram saved on battery weight translates directly into lower launch costs. Lithium-ion energy storage systems are now critical components of modern spacecraft power systems, from large communication satellites to small, standardized CubeSats used for research and technology development. CubeSats frequently use commercially available lithium cells, accepting some performance trade-offs to keep costs low and development timelines short.
Power systems based on lithium-ion batteries have also become widely used across land, air, sea, and rail transport, and the technology is being actively developed for next-generation electric aircraft propulsion.
Medical Devices
Lithium batteries are used across a wide range of medical devices, from implantable devices like pacemakers and neurostimulators to portable diagnostic equipment. Implantable cardiac devices have relied on lithium chemistry for decades because these batteries deliver stable voltage over long periods and can be made small enough to sit inside the body. The FDA recognizes specific standards for both primary (non-rechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable) lithium batteries used as power sources in medical products, reflecting how deeply embedded the technology is in healthcare.
Outside the body, lithium batteries power insulin pumps, portable defibrillators, hearing aids, and a variety of monitoring devices that patients wear or carry.
Small Everyday Devices
Beyond the obvious electronics, tiny lithium coin cells power a surprising number of household items. The CR2032, the most common lithium coin cell, is found in car key fobs, computer motherboards (keeping the clock and settings running when unplugged), remote controls, and small medical devices like glucose meters. Slightly smaller variants power wristwatches, LED candles, keychain flashlights, and car alarm remotes.
These non-rechargeable lithium cells are distinct from the rechargeable lithium-ion packs in phones and laptops, but they share the same core advantage: high energy density relative to their size, with a very slow self-discharge rate that lets them last years in low-drain devices.
How the Market Has Shifted
The landscape of lithium battery use has transformed dramatically in just one decade. In 2015, nearly half of all global battery demand came from portable electronics. By 2025, that share had fallen below 5%, not because electronics stopped using lithium batteries, but because the EV and energy storage markets exploded in scale. Electric vehicles now dominate at over 70% of total deployment, with grid storage growing rapidly behind them. The same core chemistry that keeps your phone running for a day now propels a car for hundreds of miles and keeps the lights on during a blackout.