In recent years, lithium-ion batteries have become the mainstream energy storage for a plethora of portable devices. In small handheld devices such as laptops and mobile phones, as well as movable machinery such as lawnmowers, forklifts, and golf carts, lithium batteries are practically everywhere.
Considering the wide range of use of lithium-ion batteries, it’s natural for us to wonder about the lifespan of these energy-dense and durable batteries. In this blog today, we have you covered with some basics about the life expectancy of a lithium-ion battery.
Essentially, lithium-ion batteries are chargeable and rechargeable batteries that have a longer lifespan than sealed lead acid batteries. However, like all electronics, a lithium battery also has a time period after which its performance declines.
In the case of a lithium-ion battery, its lifespan is measured by the total number of cycles the battery can undergo. A cycle is when a battery goes from a full charge to zero and then back to 100 again. A lithium battery of high quality can complete approximately 6,000 cycles.
However, there are some more factors to consider when determining a lithium-ion battery’s life.
Most low quality lithium batteries complete 500 to 600 charging cycles. This is because those batteries’ material differs from superior-quality lithium batteries such as Grade A EVE 280Ah. Therefore, the quality and type of a lithium-ion battery is a huge factor when talking about its longevity.
Depth of discharge refers to the time till when a battery performs optimally without needing a recharge. While lithium batteries have 80 to 100 percent DoD, it’s recommended not to fully discharge the battery before recharging it. This is because the lower the battery’s power, the more strain its cells will endure, thus reducing its overall life.
Another thing to consider is lithium-ion’s battery memory. Contrary to the popular notion that a battery shouldn’t be topped up frequently or without complete discharge, doing so with a lithium battery isn’t harmful. In fact, to avoid wear and tear on your electric vehicle battery, you should ideally charge it every time it’s between 80-20 percent.
Overcharging a battery may have caused trouble in the past and shouldn’t be encouraged even today. However, advanced lithium batteries for golf carts can disconnect the input from the charger once the battery is fully charged. However, it’s important to invest in a good quality charger.
Overheating is another factor that can negatively impact your lithium-ion battery’s life. Therefore, always store your lithium batteries at a moderate temperature and away from direct sunlight. When storing lithium batteries for more than a week, always store them at a 50 percent charge.
Eventually, it all comes down to the quality of a lithium-ion battery. So if you want a long-lasting lithium battery, then connect with us at Ezeal. We deliver custom battery packs, built-in batteries, and a wide range of lithium batteries for your electric vehicles.
