What are the advantages of lithium-ion batteries .

High energy density

When it comes to energy density, lithium ion batteries are top performers. This property describes the amount of energy a battery can hold, relative to its size. The more energy a battery can store, the higher its energy density. Compared to traditional lead-acid batteries which can hold between 50 to 100 wh/kg, lithium ion batteries boast an impressive range of between 260 and 270 wh/kg.

Long lifespans

In addition to being rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries have an exceptionally long life. High-performance lithium-ion batteries last up to 10 times longer than lead-acid batteries. Lithium batteries for home energy storage can be cycled more than 6,000 times, but of course, lithium-ion batteries will eventually age. However, with the right recycling methods, materials can be recovered and lithium-ion batteries can find a place in the circular economy.

Good long-term performance

Lithium or not, all batteries degrade over time. However, when it comes to long-term performance lithium batteries rate highly. The best lithium batteries continue to offer 80% of rated capacity after around 200 cycles.

Temperature tolerant

Unlike other batteries which don’t function well in extreme temperatures, lithium ion batteries are relatively tolerant.

Low self-discharge

Self-discharge is one of the biggest issued faced by battery engineers. Unlike other types of rechargeable batteries, lithium ion cells have a low self-discharge rate. Batteries will generally lose around 5% of charge in the first few hours, however this quickly drops to around 1 to 2% per month.  

Customisable technology 

Manufacturers don’t need to conform to a one-size-fits-all approach when developing lithium ion batteries. The potential to modify features like cathode chemistry and cell format makes it easy to customise lithium ion batteries. For example, Tesla uses a variety of cathodes to power its electric cars. These include lithium iron phosphate (LFP), lithium nickel-cobalt-aluminium (NCA) and nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM).

Environmental Considerations

While lithium-ion batteries offer numerous benefits, concerns about their environmental impact persist. People are making efforts to address issues related to the mining and disposal of lithium, as well as the extraction of other critical materials. Recycling initiatives and the development of greener manufacturing processes aim to minimize the environmental footprint of lithium-ion battery production.

Less maintenance

Not having to worry about regular maintenance is one of those advantages that you just can’t put a price on. Lithium-ion batteries require little to no regular maintenance - just make sure they’re clear of debris and. Some lead-acid batteries, on the other hand, require frequent off-gassing.