Most people don’t realize the pervasiveness of lithium-ion battery tech in our lives. They don’t know it,but it is the battery technology that powers the mobile phone in their pocket, the battery in their laptop, and in their iPod.
The discovery of Lithium-ion, back in 1817, has numerous industrial applications. Powering everything from an airplane starting unit, mobile phones, and recreational vehicles. Also, companies like Tesla are using Lithium-ion batteries for solar power storage systems.
However, how does it compare to the other popular battery type, Lead Acid? Here are some stats from experts comparing the two:
Efficiency – Lead Acid batteries incur a loss of 15 amps during the charge cycle,and rapid discharging can cause a loss of capacity. Lithium-ion, on the other hand, has an efficiency of 100% both during charge and discharge and incurs no loss during either phase.
Weight – Lead Acid batteries are three times the weight of Lithium-ion, which is why Lithium-ion is popular for smartphones and other devices. When it comes to much higher capacity requirements with limited discharge, Lead Acid is better.
Cost – Regarding cost, Lithium-ion has a much higher upfront cost. Short-term use means Lead Acid is more cost-effective, while longer-term use shows a better ROI on Lithium-ion.
Discharge – Most manufacturers do not recommend discharge of more than 50% for Lead Acid batteries. You can run 100% discharge and recharge cycles for Lithium-ion batteries without any issues.