Types of Batteries Used in Electric Vehicles
Batteries are now-a-days, one of the most important components, especially in the electronic vehicles (EVs). As the electric cars are quickly taking over as the standard and EVs are making revolution in the automobile industry, it is an ideal time to talk over the types of battery used in electronic vehicles. The world of automobile industry is focusing on the green mobility, so the industry is giving importance on the different types of battery used in electronic vehicles.
Types of batteries:
There are two types of batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs). They are conventional batteries and advanced batteries.
Conventional batteries:
Conventional types of batteries include –
- Lead-acid battery
- Ni-cad battery
Advanced batteries:
These kinds of batteries are used in many cycles as these batteries are rechargeable and are capable of last for long cycles. Due to the innovation and technology development, these developed batteries are used mostly in in EVs, Phones, Automobiles, Portable gadgets, and in many different areas. Advanced types of batteries include –
- Lithium-Ion battery
- Hybrid Nickel-Metal batteries (NiMH):
- Hybrid Solid-state-metal battery
Electric vehicles (EVs) use various types of batteries to store and provide the energy needed for propulsion. Batteries are the energy storage unit of an electric vehicle (EV). Let’s dive in and see what types of batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs). Some common types of batteries used in electric vehicles include:
Lithium-Ion-Battery (Li-ion):
Lithium-Ion-Battery is mostly used car battery in electric vehicle due to its high energy density, long cycle life and relatively low weight. It was developed in early 19’s and gradually established itself as the leading technology in the electric technology. Many electric cars, such Tesla models use variations of lithium-ion-battery technology.
We have known that the smaller version of this battery is being used in the portable devices like mobile phones or even laptop. However, the Lithium-Ion-Battery used in cars is bigger in size and has higher capacity. Lithium-Ion-Battery is high power to weight ratio, making the electric vehicle more energy efficient. This kind of battery performs well than other batteries at high temperature. Lithium-Ion-battery has higher energy density than lead-acid battery or nickel-metal-hydride battery.
Lithium-ion-batter has low self-discharge level that means the battery can maintain its charge better than other batteries. Moreover, the most components of this battery is recyclable. The best part of this battery is that it is relatively lightweight and compact, which is important for EVs, where space is at a premium.
Types of Lithium-Ion-Battery used in electric vehicles:
- Lithium Iron Phosphate
- Lithium Titanate
- Lithium Nickel manganese Cobalt
- Lithium Manganese Oxide
- Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide
Advantages Lithium-Ion Battery:
- Electrodes of lithium-ion batteries are made of light weight lithium and carbon; hence these are generally lighter than other types of rechargeable batteries
- Lithium, being a highly reactive element, will store a lot of energy in its atomic bonds, leading them to high energy density lithium-ion batteries.
- Comparing to lead-acid batteries, these types of battery pack can store upto 100 watt-hours per kilogram, whereas lead-acid batteries can store 25 watt-hours per kilogram
- Lithium-ion batteries can sustain hundreds of charge/discharge cycles
- Lithium-ion batteries are also low maintenance batteries
- Maximum energy effectiveness
- Excellent high-temperature performance High recyclable content
- Great power to weight ratio
- Low degree of self-discharge
Disadvantages of Li-Ion Batteries:
- High cost – More expensive than lead-acid or nickel-based batteries.
- Thermal sensitivity – Requires cooling systems to prevent overheating.
- Degradation over time – Capacity reduces after hundreds of charge cycles.
- These types of batteries last only two or three years after date of manufacturing.
- Lithium-ion batteries become useless if they are left completely discharged.
2. Hybrid Nickel-Metal batteries (NiMH):
Nickel-metal-hydride batteries are less common in all electric vehicles, Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are still widely used in the application of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV). They have good energy density and are known for their reliability. Batteries made of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) have a longer lifespan and can tolerate unfavorable conditions better than other types of batteries.
Nickel-metal-hydride battery uses nickel oxide hydroxide and they are quite similar to Nickel cadmium NiCad batteries but here they use a hydrogen-absorbing alloy instead of cadmium and have a lower impact on the environment compared to others. Similar to lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy density and lifespan, but are slightly heavier and more expensive.
Advantages of Nickel-metal-hydride battery:
- Double energy density compared to lead-acid battery
- Harmless to the environment
- Easily recyclable
- Safe operation at high voltage
- It can store volumetric power and energy
- Cycle life is longer
- Operating temperature range is long
- It is resistant to overcharge and discharge
Disadvantages Nickel-metal-hydride battery:
- Higher self-discharge rate
- More expensive
- High self-discharged and Generate heat in high temperatures
- Reduced lifetime of around 200-300 cycles, if discharged rapidly on high currents
- Reduced usable power because of memory effect
3. Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries:
Li-ion batteries are the most common type of solid-state batteries (SSB), with the exception that SSB use solid electrolytes rather than liquid electrolyte solutions. Solid-state battery technology is still in the development and in early deployment stages but they are considered a promising technology for large-scale energy storage for electric vehicles. They use solid electrolytes instead of liquid electrolytes, potentially offering higher energy density, faster charging and improved safety.
Solid-state batteries could overcome some limitations of traditional Li-Ion batteries, such as the risk of thermal runaway. Because of this lower risk of starting a fire, they are ideal for use in electric vehicles (EVs). The technology used in solid-state batteries can increase energy density and stability and even make temperature control more manageable.
Advantages of Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries:
- Capable of delivering 2.5 times more energy density as compared to lithium-ion-batteries
- Comparatively more durable and safe
- Less expensive and compact in nature
- The recharge rate of solid-state battery is 4 to 6 times more than regular batteries.
- The greater electrochemical stability of these batteries make more reliable
Disadvantages Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries:
- The mass production and manufacturing are quite complex
- Research is still in progress and the perfect material for the electrolyte with an ideal ionic conductivity is yet to be found
4. Lead-Acid Batteries:
Lead-acid batteries are the oldest rechargeable batteries. Before the development of lithium-ion batteries, these were the most practical choice. Though they are often heavier and discharge at a quicker pace, they are cheaper to produce. Comparing to Lithium-Ion-Battery and Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, this battery is heavier and lose capacity. However, the automobile industry is still using this battery because of its cheap pricing. However, lead-acid batteries are used in some electric vehicles, particularly in low-speed vehicles.
Advantages Lead-acid batteries:
- Relatively inexpensive and have a long cycle life
- It is available in production volume
- Comparatively low in cost
- It was mature technology as used for over fifty years
Disadvantages Lead-acid batteries:
- It cannot discharge more than 20% of its capacity
- It has a limited life cycle if operated on a deep rate of state of charge
- Low energy and power density
- It is heavier
- It needs maintenance
Ultracapacitors:
Ultracapacitors are used in electric vehicles to provide short bursts of power. They have high-power density and can be charged and discharged quickly. They are used in electric vehicles to provide additional power acceleration and to recover energy during braking. In electric vehicles, ultracapacitors are an excellent secondary storage option to replace Hybrid Nickel-Metal batteries (NiMH). This is because super-capacitors have a high power delivery, which is excellent during those crucial regenerative breaking start-stop acceleration moments.
Ultracapacitors (or supercapacitors) are not traditional batteries but energy storage devices that complement batteries in EVs. They provide quick bursts of power, making them useful for acceleration and regenerative braking.
Comparison between different types batteries used in electric vehicles:
| Battery Type | Energy Density (Wh/kg) | Life Cycle | Toxicity | Efficiency | Cost |
| Li-Ion | 126-190 | 500-1,000 | Low | High | Low |
| Lead-acid | 30-50 | 200-500 | High | Moderate | Low |
| Ni-MH | 100 | 300-500 | Low | Low | High |
| SSB | 500 | 8000-10000 | Low | High | High |
Conclusion:
Battery technology is a dynamic field, and ongoing research and development may introduce new types of batteries used in electric vehicles or improvements are also going on to existing ones. Additionally, advancements in energy density, charging speed, and cost reduction are key areas of focus for researchers and manufacturers in the electric vehicles industry.
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