The effect of formation protocol was determined in tests using small pouch cells containing silicon-graphite/Li(Ni0.5Mn0.3Co0.2)O2 chemistry. The time for the formation protocol was either 13.2 or 186 h for the tested cells. It is demonstrated that the “fast” formation protocol produces cells with similar performance characteristics to that of the “slow” protocol. In addition, the solid-electrolyte interface layers from both formation protocols are stable and function analogously, albeit with different chemistry. The fast formation protocol may thus provide a more economical route to cell fabrication.