What Are the Types of Automotive Batteries?
2 Answers
Power batteries include lithium manganese oxide batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries, and ternary lithium batteries. Below are detailed introductions: Characteristics of lithium manganese oxide batteries: Lithium manganese oxide batteries have low cost, good safety, and excellent low-temperature performance. However, the material itself is unstable and prone to decomposition, which can generate gas. Therefore, it is often mixed with other materials to reduce cell costs. Characteristics of lithium iron phosphate batteries: They offer good thermal stability, high safety, low cost, long lifespan, and low energy density. They are resistant to low temperatures and have a long service life, but the vehicle's range is generally limited. Charging efficiency decreases when the temperature drops below -5°C, making them unsuitable for winter charging needs in northern regions. Characteristics of ternary lithium batteries: Ternary lithium batteries have high energy density, long cycle life, and resistance to low temperatures. However, they exhibit insufficient stability at high temperatures. While they can achieve the highest energy density, their high-temperature performance is relatively poor. Pure electric vehicles with range requirements are the mainstream direction, as these batteries are more stable in low temperatures, making them suitable for northern climates.
I've been driving for almost twenty years, and there are several common types of automotive batteries. Lead-acid batteries are the oldest and cheapest, but require occasional maintenance like checking and topping up the acid level. AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries are popular now—maintenance-free and highly durable, especially suitable for new cars with auto start-stop systems. EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) is an upgraded version of lead-acid batteries with good cost-performance and better cranking performance. Lithium-ion batteries are the lightest and most efficient, exclusive to electric vehicles but too expensive for regular commuting. As for nickel-metal hydride or solid-state batteries, they're still experimental and rarely seen on the market. When choosing a battery, always check the manufacturer-recommended specs like capacity and size—mismatches can cause starting issues. After switching to an AGM battery myself, cold starts became much smoother. I recommend regularly cleaning the terminals to prevent corrosion and extend lifespan—don’t cheap out on no-name brands.
