Thus, the CV step captured more capacity (in both absolute terms and as a % of total capacity) at higher rates (Table ). The presence and nature of the CV step is more influential at higher C-rates and it is therefore particularly critical to define and standardize these protocols when performing high-rate testing. i.e. the ratio of energy discharged to energy required to charge. Rather only the gravimetric capacity, and perhaps the coulombic efficiency, are presented. When the pouch cell was cycled at high rates, cell polarisation drove the mean charge voltage higher and discharge voltage lower (Figure ), severely reducing energy efficiency to approx. 61 % @ 10 C (Figure ). This fact is obscured when only coulombic efficiency is considered, which and excessive SEI/CEI buildup. This protocol therefore provides two immediate commercially relevant figures-of-merit i.e. the minimum achievable charge time for the cell, and the optimum charge rate (5 C in this case) and can be combined with other tests (e.g. cycling ageing, calendar ageing) necessary to validate new materials and manufacturing processes.