Types of batteries for electric cars
Nov 6, 2024
If we have an electric car, or are about to make a purchase, it is worth knowing exactly what types of batteries exist in the world of electric vehicles. This greatly affects how far the specific electric vehicle can travel.
Every type has its own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. In our article, we help distinguish the differences between the batteries found in e-vehicles. You can find more useful information about electric cars in our blog, it’s worth spending some time here.
The most common: Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery
Currently, lithium-ion batteries are among the most common types. Most of the electric cars produced today come off the assembly line with this energy carrier. Its popularity is due to its excellent properties: relatively long lifespan, light weight, outstanding energy density, and low self-discharge. So even when not in use, the battery retains its charge well.
Its disadvantages include the “ingredient” itself, lithium, which is a rare earth metal, and its mining is quite environmentally damaging. Furthermore, due to improper use and storage, it can explode because of the chemical reactions occurring in it.
The Li-ion “successor”: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery
We can consider this type of battery as the more advanced successor of the lithium-ion. The lifespan of LFP energy carriers is almost four times that of the Li-ion battery. Moreover, their maintenance requirements are very low, so there’s no need to worry about it breaking down or losing too much power if the battery sits unused for an extended period.
We have previously written about the proper maintenance of electric car batteries, which is worth knowing for electric vehicle owners.
LFP energy carriers have two significant disadvantages: they are considerably more expensive and their production is even more harmful to the environment than that of Li-ion batteries.
Recyclable battery types: Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH)
The engineers at Toyota realized the usability and advantages of nickel-metal hydride batteries as early as the mid-1990s. The first three generations of the Toyota Prius, known as the ancestors of electric (more precisely hybrid) cars, were all equipped with nickel-metal hydride-based energy carriers.
We most commonly encounter it as part of hybrid drivetrains. Its major advantage is that it is recyclable, which means it is much less harmful to the environment than other batteries. Its significant disadvantage is its short lifespan and high sensitivity to charging. This means that owners of cars equipped with NiMH batteries need to pay attention to the frequency of topping up.
Image source: Sky Automotive
The old-fashioned Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery
The foundations of this battery were researched almost 100 years ago, and its application in the portable devices industry began around the 1980s. It is extremely durable; however, if not used properly, the battery capacity quickly decreases.
The Peugeot 106 Electrique (and the Citroen Saxo Electrique) that appeared in 1995 was equipped with a nickel-cadmium battery. At that time, the PSA group produced about ten thousand units worldwide. This was considered a huge breakthrough in the world of electric cars. Most still functioning electric 106s and Saxos have replaced the aging NiCd energy carriers with Li-ion batteries.
We hope you found useful information regarding the various types of batteries. If you have any questions about electric cars or regarding Voltie solutions, you can find all the information on our website. For further information, feel free to contact us using our contact details!
