What Kind of Batteries Do New Energy Vehicles Use?
3 Answers
New energy vehicles primarily use alkaline batteries, lithium-ion batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries, and ternary lithium batteries. Alkaline Batteries: Alkaline batteries are composed of nickel-based materials and alkaline solution electrolytes. They mainly include three types: nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and nickel-metal hydride batteries. Among these, nickel-metal hydride batteries have higher specific energy and are environmentally friendly compared to nickel-cadmium and nickel-zinc batteries. Lithium-ion Batteries: Lithium-ion batteries can be divided into two types: lithium-ion batteries and lithium polymer batteries. Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries: Compared to traditional lead-acid battery packs, lithium iron phosphate batteries have advantages in terms of working voltage, energy density, and cycle life. However, their biggest drawback is the relatively shorter driving range. Ternary Lithium Batteries: Currently the most mainstream power battery packs. The cathode material of these battery packs is generally lithium cobalt oxide. Compared to lithium iron phosphate battery packs, ternary lithium batteries exhibit significantly better driving range performance.
I've driven several new energy vehicles and found the battery system particularly crucial. Currently, lithium-ion batteries are the mainstream choice. For example, ternary lithium batteries have high energy density, allowing for longer driving range, but they are more expensive and can be unstable under high temperatures. On the other hand, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are safer and more durable, with less sensitivity during charging and discharging, though they are heavier and offer slightly shorter range. My own car uses a ternary lithium battery, which is sufficient for daily commuting, but the battery capacity drops noticeably when using air conditioning in summer or in low winter temperatures. I recommend parking in the shade for charging. Charging habits also affect battery lifespan—avoid frequently charging to full or discharging below 20%; stopping at around 80% is ideal. Battery lifespan typically lasts 8-10 years, but proper maintenance can extend it. Solid-state batteries sound more reliable for the future, but they aren’t widely available yet. When choosing a car, pay attention to the battery type and manufacturer warranty—don’t just rely on advertised numbers.
When it comes to new energy vehicle batteries, I'm quite interested as I've studied some technical details. The most commonly used are lithium-ion batteries, which can be divided into several subcategories: ternary lithium batteries like nickel-manganese-cobalt combinations offer high energy density and fast acceleration, but pose risks if temperature control is poor; lithium iron phosphate batteries have stable chemical properties and high safety, though they're heavier with slightly weaker range. Simply put, the working principle involves ions moving from the positive to negative electrode during charging to store energy, then reversing during discharge to power the motor. The battery management system is crucial for monitoring voltage and temperature to prevent failures. New developments include solid-state batteries using solid electrolytes to avoid leakage issues, promising better performance in the future though still in the lab stage. Daily choices should consider usage scenarios: lithium iron phosphate is very stable for urban commuting, while ternary lithium suits long-distance driving better. With continuous technological advancements, prices are dropping and adoption is accelerating.
