Lead Acid Vs Lithium Ion – What Are the Differences?
Since lead-acid batteries are initially cheaper, they must be serviced more often and have a shorter lifetime. Despite their higher initial cost, lithium batteries have a longer lifetime and need no maintenance throughout their useful life. This piece provides a comprehensive analysis of both possibilities.
Batteries with Lead Acid
In 1859, French scientist Gaston Plante devised the lead acid battery, a rechargeable battery. It was the first battery to be designed to be recharged. This one has a lower energy density and hence a different function than current batteries. These cells have a high power-to-weight ratio, and the storms can produce significant surge currents. And because of their lower cost, lead acid batteries are becoming more popular in the automotive sector. This is because it can provide the high current needed for starting motors.
In contrast to contemporary batteries, their cost is low, making them viable even when the surge current is negligible. Other designs can deliver a high energy density—between 40 and 50 per cent of the total value of batteries sold worldwide in 1999 composed of lead-acid batteries.
Lithium Ion Battery
Discharging a lithium-ion battery causes lithium ions to travel from the negative to the positive electrode through the electrolyte. If you want to change anything, you have to do the opposite. Lithium-ion cells typically employ a lithium compound with intercalation as the positive electrode material. Other than that, it has a low self-discharge and no memory effect. While making battery cells, manufacturers may emphasize power density or energy capacity. Nevertheless, lithium-ion batteries provide a fire and explosion risk if damaged or charged improperly since their electrolytes are combustible.
An ordinary lithium-ion battery will have a carbon-negative electrode. An oxide of metal is used as the positive electrode. In addition, the organic solvent is suspended in a lithium salt electrolyte. The anode and cathode functions in the cell’s electrochemistry switch depending on the direction of the current flow. Graphite is the go-to for commercial anodes, whereas layered oxides, polyanions, and spinel are the three most popular positive electrode materials.
Comparison between Lead-Acid And Lithium-Ion Battery Costs
Let us examine how much these Lead Acid Vs Lithium Ion configurations will set you back.
- Compared to Lithium-ion batteries, Lead-acid batteries are more affordable and simpler to install. A lithium-ion battery, although having the same capacity as a lead-acid battery, costs twice as much. Even so, lithium-ion batteries win out over lead-acid ones if you’re looking at longevity. Because of this, lead-acid batteries are more cost-effective in the short term than lithium-ion batteries.
Conclusion
Lithium-ion batteries are often better than lead-acid ones since they are more convenient and easier to use. Lead acid batteries need to be maintained constantly, are cheap, and do not last very long. In contrast, lithium-ion batteries are more efficient, last longer, and cost more.
