The electrochemical performance of LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ cathodes in Li ion cells was investigated under static and dynamic load conditions, which prevail in electric and hybrid vehicles using constant current constant voltage and hybrid pulse power characteristic procedures.The thermal properties of this cathode were investigated using the differential scanning calorimetric and accelerated rate calorimetric techniques. The cell fabricated with a LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ cathode showed excellent power performance. The specific energy produced by the 18650 cell was 90 Wh kg^–1 at 100 W kg^–1 power level.