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Motor vehicles are usually powered by lead-acid batteries. However, a new player has recently begun showing its power in the automotive battery sector: lithium polymer batteries (such as LiFePo4's).

What are the advantages and disadvantages of replacing traditional lead-acid batteries with lithium batteries in automotive applications?

JoErNanO
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1 Answers1

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Some advantages:

  • Better tolerance for deep-discharge, meaning you don't reduce the lifetime of a battery by accidentally leaving the lights on
  • Reduced weight, and thus improved fuel economy
  • Reduced size, saving space in the engine compartment
  • Longer lifetime when only partially charged, allowing keeping the battery slightly below full charge and then quickly charging when engine braking
  • No lead, which makes the batteries more environmentally friendly

As well as some disadvantages:

  • More likely to start a fire (although LiFePO4 is reasonably safe)
  • Higher cost
  • Voltage not exactly the same, affecting e.g. halogen bulb lifetime (but this aspect will go away with LED lights)
  • Not as well-tested in float charge applications as lead acid

Personally, I believe that the 12 volt system will continue to use 12V lead acid batteries (but perhaps transition from flooded to AGM), but cars will transition through hybrids to plug-in hybrids and the high-voltage batteries will ultimately use LiFePO4. For example, all Toyota's hybrids have a traditional lead-acid battery as well.

juhist
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