Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles: Advantages and Challenges

Electric vehicles and a variety of portable electronics employ lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which are a type of rechargeable battery. They possess a higher energy density than standard nickel-cadmium or lead-acid rechargeable batteries. This implies that battery companies can conserve space, resulting in a smaller battery pack.

Additionally, lithium is the lightest metal. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, however, contain ions rather than lithium metal. An ion is a molecule or atom with an electric charge generated through the gain or loss of one or more electrons. 

Lithium Ion Battery: Working Principle

Lithium-ion is a rechargeable battery made up of one or more cells (a cell is the power generating space of the battery), and each cell has the following essential components: a separator, electrolyte, an anode, a cathode, and two current collectors, one positive and one negative. Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) are the materials used to make the positive electrode. The negative electrode is comprised of carbon.

The general operation of a LIB is as follows:

• The anode and cathode are where lithium is kept.
• Positively charged lithium-ion is transported by electrolyte from the cathode to the anode and the other way around via a separator.
• The mobility of lithium ions generates free electrons in the anode.
• A charge is then produced at the positive current collector as a result.
• The electric current then travels to the negative collector through a device 
• The separator stops current from flowing within the battery.

Advantages of Lithium-Ion Batteries

There are several advantages to using Lithium-Ion batteries for vehicles. Below are some of them:

High Energy Density: The most noticeable benefit of LIB is its high energy density. The battery's energy density makes it feasible for it to last longer between charges.

Self Discharge: Compared to other types of batteries, LIBs have an extremely low self-discharge rate. In the first four hours, a LIB's self-discharge rate is approximately 5%, but after that, it quickly drops to 1 to 2% per month. Additionally, they don't have a memory effect. Thus even if they're not fully charged or discharged, they retain their maximum charge capacity.

Low Maintenance: While other batteries, such as lead acid batteries, need to be periodically topped off and nickel-cadmium batteries must be periodically discharged, LIBs don't need to be actively maintained.

High Voltage: Unlike other batteries, which offer 1.5 to 2 volts per cell voltage, LIBs maintain a consistent voltage of 3.6 volts until discharging. This facilitates the generation of high voltage per cell.

Long cycle life: The long cycle life of lithium-ion batteries is another benefit. When compared with other rechargeable batteries, they can be charged and discharged for more cycles. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries charge quickly, making them more practical for daily usage.

Disadvantages of Lithium-Ion Batteries 

There are a few disadvantages or challenges one might face if they are using a vehicle with a Lithium-Ion Battery. Below are some of them.

Sensitivity to Heat: The temperature has a great deal of impact on lithium-ion batteries. They may experience reduced efficiency or perhaps even irreversible damage if kept in conditions of extreme cold or heat. This implies that electric vehicles may be more susceptible to scorching summer days or chilly winter nights.

Difficult to Recycle: It is difficult to recycle lithium-ion batteries. As a result, many of these batteries wind up in landfills. Manufacturers are unlikely to do this as recycling is a time- and money-consuming procedure. This increases the amount of electronic waste.

Possibility of Overcharging: Overcharging lithium-ion batteries can cause damage. The battery of an electric vehicle might be damaged if it is plugged in for an extended period of time. This is one of the primary reasons why electric vehicles use battery management systems (BMS). The BMS aids in preventing overcharging of the battery.

Short Service Life: A lithium-ion battery has an average lifespan of 5-8 years. That's a lot less time than a standard automotive battery, which has a 12 to 15 years lifespan. This necessitates more regular battery replacement for users of electric vehicles.

How do Lithium-Ion Batteries for EVs Affect Car Insurance?

Lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) can influence car insurance in several ways. Firstly, the high cost of replacing these specialized batteries in case of damage or failure may result in higher insurance premiums. Since EVs are relatively new and still evolving technology, insurers may consider them more expensive to repair compared to traditional vehicles.

On the positive side, some insurance companies offer discounts or incentives for owning an EV due to their lower environmental impact and potentially fewer accidents associated with their quieter operation. Additionally, as the popularity of electric vehicles grows, insurance companies may develop specialised policies tailored to their unique characteristics, further affecting coverage costs.

FAQs

Which lithium-ion battery is the most suitable for electric vehicles?

Lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxide (NCA) batteries provide the highest specific energy, a good specific power, and a long lifecycle. For this reason, despite requiring thorough safety checks due to their more unstable nature, they are well suited for the electric vehicle market.

What is the capacity of an electric vehicle's lithium-ion battery?

Kilowatt-hours (kWh) is the unit used to measure lithium-ion battery capacity. Normally, the capacity is around 40kWh. However, some cars currently have capacities of up to 100kWh. Your car's range is directly proportional to its battery capacity. The greater the kWh, the more distance you can go on a full charge.

What distinguishes lithium batteries from lithium-ion batteries?

Lithium-ion batteries can be recharged, in contrast to their lithium counterparts. This is the primary distinction between the two types of cells. Lithium-ion batteries can go through thousands of charge/discharge cycles.

How long will lithium-ion batteries last? 

Most manufacturers expect their batteries to last at least 3 years or 1,000 charging cycles.

What is a lithium-ion battery's voltage capacity?

3.60V/cell is the lithium-ion battery's nominal voltage. Li-ion batteries made by some manufacturers are marked as 3.70V/cell or greater.