TYPES OF BATTERIES USED IN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Explore the heart of electric vehicles with a deep dive into EV batteries. From Lithium-ion to Solid-State, we'll unravel the science behind these energy powerhouses. Get ready to supercharge your knowledge and learn how different batteries drive the electric future!
How do they run?
Imagine driving a car that runs on electricity instead of gas. A car that emits zero pollution and saves you money on fuel. A car that is quiet, smooth, and smart. That’s what electric vehicles (EVs) offer.
But EVs are not all the same. They use different kinds of batteries to store and deliver electricity. Each battery has its own pros and cons, depending on how you use your car.
There’s more than one type? Yes.
Lithium-ion batteries
These are the most widely used type of EV batteries, as they have a high energy density, meaning they can store more energy per unit mass than other batteries. There are 2 types of Lithium ion batteries that are widely used in electric vehicles – LFP (Lithium Ferrous Phosphate) and NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt). .
Did you know?
LFP batteries have excellent thermal stability and safety due to which they are more tolerantte of high temperature making them a safer choice for EV batteries.
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High energy density![icon]()
High power-to-weight ratio![icon]()
Long life cycle
High energy density
High power-to-weight ratio
Long life cycle
Nickel-metal hydride batteries
These are another type of EV batteries that are often used in hybrid vehicles, which combine an electric motor with a gasoline engine.
Did you know?
These batteries were used in some of the earliest electric vehicles in the 90s, but due to its disadvantages like extremely high cost most manufacturers stopped using it.
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Low energy density![icon]()
Low power-to-weight ratio![icon]()
High cost
Low energy density
Low power-to-weight ratio
High cost
Lead-acid batteries
These are the oldest type of EV batteries, and they are still used in some low-cost or low-performance EVs such as three wheelers and two wheelers.
Did you know?
Lead-acid batteries are the traditional type of battery used in most gasoline vehicles to crank the engine.
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Low energy density![icon]()
Low power-to-weight ratio![icon]()
Most affordable and recyclable
Most affordable and recyclable
Sodium-ion battery
Acting as an alternative due to increased demand of lithium ion batteries, these batteries are still in development for their usage in EVs and delivery low cost vehicles!
Did you know?
Solid state sodium ion batteries don’t use liquid electrolyte like other batteries, they use solid electrolytes!
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Low energy density![icon]()
Low power-to-weight ratio![icon]()
Lower cost than Lithium-ion Batteries
Lower cost than Lithium-ion BatteriesTypes of batteries used in an electric vehicle
There are many types of batteries that a vehicles uses for various applications, listed down are a few of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The State of Health (SoH) is a figure used to measure the condition of a battery. A higher SOH percentage means a healthier battery. Battery’s SOH, when subjected to use and charging over the years, depletes. This might call for cells or modules refurbishment inside the battery.
- SOC is the abbreviation of State of charge, it is the remaining quantity of electricity available in the cell. State of charge (SoC) is the level of charge of an electric battery relative to its capacity. The units of SoC are percentage points (0% = empty; 100% = full).
- The difference between SOH and SOC is that the State of Charge (SOC) has an important role in determining the remaining capacity of the battery pack. State of Health (SOH) is an important indicator of the battery’s life. SOH reflects the ability of a battery to deliver and receive energy and power.