For ordinary consumers, the simplest way to distinguish between ternary lithium and lithium iron phosphate batteries is to check the battery data in the vehicle's configuration table. Manufacturers usually indicate the battery type in the battery information.
You can also distinguish them by checking the data of the power battery system on the vehicle's nameplate. Models like the Chery eQ1 and Wuling Hongguang MINI EV have both lithium iron phosphate and ternary lithium versions.
By comparing the data on the vehicle nameplates of the two versions, it can be found that the rated voltage of the lithium iron phosphate battery is higher than that of the ternary lithium battery, while the rated capacity of the ternary lithium battery is greater than that of the lithium iron phosphate battery.
Furthermore, compared to lithium iron phosphate batteries, ternary lithium batteries have higher energy density and better low-temperature discharge performance, while lithium iron phosphate batteries are superior in terms of lifespan, manufacturing cost, and safety. If you find that you bought a long-range vehicle, or that its range decreases less than other vehicles in low-temperature winter conditions, it is most likely a ternary lithium battery; otherwise, it is a lithium iron phosphate battery.
Since it is difficult to distinguish between ternary lithium batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries by observing their appearance, in addition to the methods mentioned above, the only way to differentiate between ternary lithium batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries is to use professional instruments to measure the voltage, current and other data of the battery pack.
The characteristics of ternary lithium batteries: Ternary lithium batteries are characterized by good low-temperature performance, with an extreme operating temperature of -30 degrees Celsius. However, their disadvantage is a low thermal runaway temperature of only around 200 degrees Celsius, which makes them prone to spontaneous combustion in hotter regions.
Characteristics of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Batteries: LFP batteries have a long history of development. Their main characteristics are good stability and a high thermal runaway temperature, reaching 800 degrees Celsius. This means that LFP batteries will not catch fire unless the temperature reaches 800 degrees Celsius. However, they are relatively sensitive to cold; in colder climates, battery degradation is more severe.
