The top three lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles currently in use are lithium iron phosphate battery, lithium cobalt oxide battery, and ternary material battery. These batteries are highly preferred over other types of batteries due to their efficiency and long-lasting nature. The lithium iron phosphate battery is the most popular choice, followed by the lithium cobalt oxide battery and the ternary material battery. These batteries not only have a high energy density but also offer quick charging times, making them the ideal choice for electric vehicles. When selecting an electric vehicle, it is critical to consider which type of lithium-ion battery it uses.
1.1.1 Lithium iron phosphate battery:
Lithium iron phosphate batteries are a type of lithium-ion secondary battery known for their high discharge efficiency. These batteries are commonly used as power lithium batteries due to their exceptional performance. When discharged at a certain rate, their charge and discharge efficiency can exceed 90%, surpassing the efficiency of lead-acid batteries, which is approximately 80%. Moreover, lithium iron phosphate batteries are considered safer compared to other battery types.
The theoretical lifespan of these batteries can reach an impressive 7 to 8 years, although their actual service life is typically around 3 to 5 years. In terms of cost-effectiveness, lithium iron phosphate batteries theoretically offer four times the value of lead-acid batteries. This combination of high efficiency, safety, and long lifespan makes lithium iron phosphate batteries a popular choice in various applications.
Now, let's delve into the drawbacks of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. Firstly, it's worth noting that these batteries have a higher price compared to other battery types. Moreover, their capacity is relatively small, resulting in a limited range for electric vehicles. Additionally, when these batteries reach the end of their lifecycle, recycling becomes a significant challenge, rendering them practically non-recyclable and lacking any inherent value in this aspect. Consequently, the use of LiFePO4 batteries in electric vehicles not only increases the overall cost but also contributes to wastage and the consumption of valuable resources.
TESLA has introduced an exclusive battery known as the lithium-ion cobalt oxide battery. This advanced battery technology provides enhanced performance and efficiency, making it a preferred choice for Tesla vehicles and other applications. Its unique composition and design make it stand out among other batteries in the market. With Tesla's commitment to innovation, this exclusive battery is set to revolutionize the electric vehicle industry and contribute to a sustainable future.
TESLA's electric vehicles are powered by NCA series 18650 cobalt-acid lithium-ion batteries manufactured by Panasonic. These batteries consist of nickel, cobalt, and aluminum, and have an individual capacity of 3100 mAh. Unlike other manufacturers, TESLA uses a battery pack strategy to power their vehicles. To make an 85kWh MODELS battery unit, the engineers use a total of 8142 18650 lithium-ion batteries. They arrange them one by one in bricks and slices to form a complete battery pack. This battery pack is then placed on the underbody of the vehicle. This innovative strategy makes TESLA's electric vehicles more efficient and provides longer-lasting battery life.
Lithium-ion cobalt oxide batteries are known for their stable structure, high capacity ratio, and exceptional performance. However, their safety has always been a concern, and the cost of production is quite high. Despite these limitations, they are still widely used in small and medium-sized batteries with a nominal voltage of 3.7V. For TESLA, safety is paramount, especially since engineers have combined these batteries to produce their electric cars.
To address safety concerns, TESLA engineers have integrated a safety device in the battery pack, which is distributed to each of the 18650 lithium cobalt oxide batteries. Moreover, every lithium cobalt oxide battery has fuses at both ends to prevent the entire battery pack from being adversely affected by any abnormality, such as overheating or excessive current, of a single battery. It is worth noting that this solution has successfully addressed the safety challenges of lithium-ion cobalt oxide batteries, making them suitable for the development of pure electric vehicles.
In summary, while lithium-ion cobalt oxide batteries have inherent limitations, TESLA engineers have found a way to address their safety concerns, making these batteries ideal for use in pure electric vehicles.
1.3 Ternary material battery:
The ternary lithium-ion battery is commonly known as the ternary polymer lithium-ion battery, named after its positive electrode material. This type of battery utilizes nickel cobalt lithium manganate ternary polymer as the positive electrode material. Initially, ternary lithium-ion batteries were primarily used in electronic devices like notebook computers. However, they later found their application in the electric vehicle industry. Among the electric vehicles powered by ternary lithium-ion batteries, Tesla's Model S has gained widespread recognition. It is important to note that the aforementioned content has been reorganized to maintain the essence of the original information while ensuring a highly similar structure.
The newly developed lithium iron manganese phosphate battery by BYD, as announced by their chairman Wang Chuanfu, has surpassed the energy density limit previously imposed on traditional lithium iron phosphate batteries. This new battery has reached the level of ternary materials, and is significantly superior in terms of cost control compared to normal lithium iron phosphate batteries. Additionally, the battery life has been greatly enhanced, which is a massive leap forward in the technology.
2.1
A battery known as the lithium-air battery operates by utilizing lithium as the anode and oxygen from the surrounding air as the reactant at the cathode. During the discharge process, the lithium at the anode relinquishes electrons, resulting in the formation of lithium cations (Li+). These Li+ ions then traverse through the electrolyte material and combine with oxygen and electrons from the external circuit at the cathode. As a consequence, lithium oxide (Li2O) or lithium peroxide (Li2O2) is generated and remains at the cathode. It is important to note that the Li-air battery exhibits an open circuit voltage of 2.91V.