Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released the "Automotive Power Battery Industry Standard Conditions" (Fourth Batch), listing 32 companies. This battery catalog will determine whether new energy vehicles are eligible for subsidies, highlighting the importance of power lithium batteries for new energy vehicles. Power lithium batteries not only affect the range of new energy vehicles but also their safety. Today, we'll explore the types of power lithium batteries currently used in new energy vehicles and their respective advantages and disadvantages.
Currently, power lithium batteries can be broadly classified into three types: nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, lead-acid batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. NiMH batteries are synthesized from hydrogen ions and metallic nickel, and are mostly used in hybrid vehicles. Lead-acid batteries are rechargeable batteries with electrodes primarily made of lead and its oxides, and an electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid. Lithium-ion batteries are secondary batteries (rechargeable batteries) that rely on the movement of lithium ions between the positive and negative electrodes to function, and are the most important type of power lithium battery for mainstream new energy vehicles today.
Lithium-ion batteries are classified into the following categories based on the materials used in their positive electrode: lithium cobalt oxide batteries, lithium manganese oxide batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries, and ternary lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium cobalt oxide batteries were the earliest type of lithium-ion battery, characterized by high capacity density, but they suffer from poor safety and stability, and are widely used in the digital electronics field. Due to their poor safety and stability, they are not suitable for most new energy vehicles, but their superior range has won over Tesla, which uses lithium cobalt oxide batteries in its Roadster.
Lithium manganese oxide batteries are currently the mainstream power lithium batteries, boasting excellent overall performance. Their moderate capacity density, low price, safety, and environmental friendliness have made them popular with many new energy vehicle companies. Japan and South Korea, as leaders in lithium manganese oxide batteries, have consistently been at the forefront globally. They are used in new energy vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf.
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are widely used in new energy vehicles in China. Their biggest advantages are safety, stability, and lifespan, which are unparalleled among other types of lithium-ion batteries. However, their lower capacity density and shorter driving range limit their dominance. Models like the BYD E6 and BYD Qin utilize LFP batteries.
Ternary lithium-ion batteries are a relatively new type of lithium-ion battery. Their cathode material is a mixture of nickel, cobalt, and manganese in a specific ratio. Their advantages include high capacity density and long driving range, but their safety performance is slightly inferior, though still superior to lithium cobalt oxide batteries. Tesla's Model S and other vehicles utilize ternary lithium-ion batteries.
