Lithium Ion Vs Lead Acid Batteries

In South Africa, where backup power is increasingly critical for everyday living, issues about energy storage are widespread. A frequently asked question is, “What is the difference between lead acid and lithium ion batteries, and when should each be used?”
Here are the top three distinctions between the two battery chemistries, as well as examples of which technology to use when electrifying your vehicle.

Lithium ion batteries vs lead acid batteries

Cost

This is often at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts and a major factor in determining “what is the best product for my fleet?” As is often the case, there is no easy solution, and the cost-effectiveness depends on the requirements of your application. Lead acid is a common, cost-effective battery chemistry that is readily accessible in large numbers with no concern for supply security and in a range of standard pack sizes. Lead acid is well suited for large-scale stationary applications with plentiful space and minimal energy demands. However, when considering pricing in terms of power or range, lithium ion technology is often the most cost-effective alternative.

Vitality and Range

In a side-by-side comparison, lithium ion batteries have an energy density of 125-600+ Wh/L compared to 50-90 Wh/L for lead acid batteries. In other words, if the identical devices were to be powered by both types of batteries, the lead acid battery would need up to 10 times the volume and weight of the lithium ion battery. Therefore, adopting lithium ion batteries frees up room for other key payloads, such as electronics that are more vitally important. Powered by lithium ion technology, a vehicle with a high energy density has a much longer runtime, so the user does not have to recharge as often.

Charging

Depending on the size of the battery, lead-acid batteries might take more than 10 hours to charge, but lithium ion batteries can be charged in as little as a few minutes. Lithium ion chemistries may tolerate a higher rate of current, allowing for faster charging than lead acid batteries. This is crucial for time-sensitive applications where device use is high and break periods are brief.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to batteries; rather, it is necessary to provide the appropriate electric solution for the application. Cummins develops and markets flexible, scalable lithium ion batteries for commercial trucks and other mobile and stationary applications.