1. Advantages
①Environmentally friendly: The entire production process is clean and non-toxic, and all raw materials are non-toxic;
②Small size: Lithium-ion batteries have higher energy density, and for the same capacity, they are smaller in size. This allows manufacturers to free up more space in vehicle design to implement other functions.
③ Longer cycle life: Typical lead-acid batteries experience significant degradation after one year of use, requiring regular maintenance and replacement. Lithium-ion batteries, under normal usage, are essentially maintenance-free for the first three years.
④ Activation-free characteristics: When using lithium-ion batteries, it should be noted that after a period of time, the battery enters a dormant state, at which point its capacity is lower than normal, and its usage time is also shortened. However, lithium-ion batteries are easily activated; they can be activated and restored to normal capacity after just 35 normal charge-discharge cycles. Due to the inherent characteristics of lithium-ion batteries, they have virtually no memory effect. Therefore, users do not need special methods or equipment to activate new lithium-ion batteries.
2. Disadvantages
① The power performance of lithium-ion batteries needs to be improved: Compared with lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries are much less resistant to fluctuations in charging and discharging. This is one of the major reasons why lithium batteries cannot be effectively used in high-power vehicles, resulting in reduced durability.
② There is a risk of explosion: When lithium-ion batteries are charged and discharged at high current, the internal temperature of the battery continues to rise. The gas that appears during the activation process expands, and the internal pressure of the battery increases. When the pressure reaches a certain level, if there are scratches on the outer shell, it will rupture, causing leakage, fire, or even explosion.
③ Supporting equipment for lithium-ion battery electric vehicles: According to feedback from the Global Electric Vehicle Network, the supporting external equipment such as motors for lithium-ion battery electric vehicles is not yet mature.
④ High Price: Currently, lithium-ion battery electric bicycles are generally several hundred to a thousand yuan more expensive than lead-acid battery electric bicycles, making them difficult for consumers to accept in the market. Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight, environmentally friendly, and do not cause environmental pollution after disposal. Once the application technology matures and market sales increase, the price of lithium-ion battery electric bicycles will decrease.
