1. High voltage
The voltage of lithium-ion batteries is three times that of nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nearly twice that of lead-acid batteries. This is a major reason for the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, when assembling battery packs with the same voltage, the number of lithium-ion batteries connected in series is significantly less than that of lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride batteries.
2. Lightweight
Lithium-ion batteries have a high specific energy, reaching 150Wh/kg, which is twice that of nickel-metal hydride batteries and four times that of lead-acid batteries. Therefore, they weigh one-third to one-quarter of the same energy of lead-acid batteries. From this perspective, lithium batteries consume fewer resources. Moreover, since lithium manganese oxide batteries use more abundant elements, their prices may rise further compared to lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride batteries, while the cost of lithium-ion batteries will actually decrease further.
3. Long lifespan
The cycle life can reach 2000-10000 times. Assuming 70% capacity retention, the battery pack can achieve over 200 100% charge-discharge cycles, with a service life of 5-8 years, approximately two to three times that of lead-acid batteries. With technological innovation and equipment improvements, battery life will continue to increase, and the cost-effectiveness will become increasingly better.
4. Wide range
Lithium-ion power batteries have good low-temperature performance, and can operate between -40℃ and +55℃. In contrast, aqueous batteries (such as lead-acid batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries) experience a significant performance reduction at low temperatures due to the decreased fluidity of the electrolyte.
5. No memory
Lithium-ion batteries do not have a memory effect, so unlike nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries, they do not need to be discharged before each charge and can be charged anytime, anywhere. The depth of charge and discharge has little impact on the battery's lifespan; they can be fully charged and fully discharged. Our cycle tests involve fully charging and fully discharging the batteries.
6. Pollution-free
Lithium-ion batteries do not contain toxic substances, hence they are called "green batteries" and receive strong government support. Lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries, on the other hand, contain harmful substances like lead and cadmium, leading to stricter government regulation and control (the cancellation of export tax rebates for lead-acid batteries, the increase in lead resource taxes, and restrictions on the export of lead-acid electric bicycles), which increases costs for related companies. Although lithium batteries are pollution-free, from a resource conservation perspective, the recycling of lithium-ion batteries, the safety during recycling, and the cost of recycling also need to be considered.
7. Safety hazards
Due to their high energy density and poor material stability, lithium-ion batteries are prone to safety issues. The capacity of these power batteries is hundreds of times that of mobile phone batteries, thus placing extremely high demands on their safety. Although lithium cobalt oxide batteries and ternary lithium batteries have advantages such as lighter weight and smaller size, they are unsuitable for use as power batteries in electric vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries made from mixed-crystal manganese oxide and lithium iron phosphate are the most promising lithium-ion power batteries.
8. High price
Lithium-ion batteries with the same voltage and capacity are 3-4 times more expensive than lead-acid batteries. However, with the expansion of the lithium-ion battery market, cost reductions, performance improvements, and the increasing price of lead-acid batteries, the cost-effectiveness of lithium-ion batteries may surpass that of lead-acid batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries, with their advantages of high energy density, high voltage, wide operating temperature range, and long shelf life, have been widely used in military and civilian small appliances. They have partially replaced traditional batteries in mobile phones, portable computers, camcorders, and cameras. High-capacity lithium-ion batteries are already being tested in electric vehicles and will become one of the main power sources for electric vehicles in the 21st century. They have also found applications in artificial satellites, aerospace, and energy storage.
