22 Years' Battery Customization
Jul 01, 2021 Pageview：13930
Electric vehicles have come a long way, changing the world of automobiles forever. What differentiates them from gas vehicles is not only their efficiency, but weight.
EVs are much heavier than the others. Most are twice or thrice heavier. And it is all because of the battery they use.
In this guide, we will be discussing how batteries make EVs heavy. Does it mean these cars could be lighter, were it not for the power generators? Let’s find out.
How much does a battery weigh in an electric car?
Let’s talk about the electric gem from GM, the EV1. It was one of the most popular EVs on the market, and those who love their machines are sure to remember them.
It was a great vehicle that came ahead of the industry, perhaps laying the foundation for the dominance of electric vehicles.
From a viewer’s perspective, it was more of a well-funded first-entry in a science fare by a college team.
What stood out the most was the weight of the car. It weighed around 3000 pounds, but that might have been done intentionally. The car was built with weight and aerodynamics in mind.
From this weight, a whooping 1175 pounds came from the battery. The lead acid bank that powered the vehicles was as heavy as a smaller car, although the later versions used lithium batteries.
And because of that, everything else about the vehicle was completely trimmed.
From the onset, it seemed like the fate of all electric and hybrid-electric vehicles depended on the weight of the battery. And it has been so ever since.
It seems out of the ordinary that now EV manufacturers have cast aside concerns on weight. And most users are embracing heavier vehicles. Consider the Audi e-tron for instance, which weighs a whopping 6000 pounds.
Lux Research recently gave a report on Electric Vehicle Lightweighting 2030, stating that it’s all about efficiency. It seems as though heavier batteries perform better because that is what gives the cars the required power to work.
The research also states that we may see about 15% increase in battery pack densities over the next several years. Companies may therefore have to increase range or reduce size to stay in this range, which has become a bit challenging.
Car Battery in Tesla Model S
Consider the battery in the Tesla Model S EV. The battery pack is made up of thousands of 18650 battery cells. The actual number depends on the size of the pack.
As you may already know, 18650 batteries are cylindrical and measure about 18mm in diameter. They have a height of 65mm.
The cells come with a graphite/silicon anode and a nickel-cobalt-aluminum cathode. The company has changed the battery’s capacity severally over the years.
These batteries are the heaviest components of the car. For instance, the 85kWh battery pack weighs 1200 lb (540 kg).? That means it determines most of the car’s weight and that makes it the most important component.
Battery Weight in the GMC Hummer EV
As you have seen above, EV batteries are heavy, and that is what makes EVs weigh a lot. Apart from the Tesla S above, another good example is the GMC Hummer EV.
The Edition 1 version comes with a lot of batteries for more driving range and power. The battery alone is more than 9000 pounds in weight. This is about three times the total weight of a Honda Civic gas-powered car.
The other components of the vehicle have been trimmed to the bone. Otherwise, it would be much heavier.
What determines the weight of car batteries?
Another way to understand how much electric vehicles batteries (EVB) weigh is by considering factors that affect its weight. And there are several factors:
Capacity
EVs require a lot of electric energy to move.? Hence, EVBs are generally larger, assuring the energy required to propel a car weighing two tones and more.
Energy in these batteries is measured in kWh, which represents the battery’s energy storage over a specified period. That is to say, a 100kWh battery in the Tesla Model S reviewed above can deliver 100 kW of power in one hour.
The larger the battery, the more powerful it is, and that means more weight.
How Much the Battery can Last
Another factor that goes into making EVBs is how long they can last in a single use. One should choose a battery that is big enough to suit their needs.
For instance, a Honda E, comes with a relatively smaller battery. It’s 35kWh battery can only take you for about 130 miles. That can only be good for using around towns.
Heavier batteries are stronger, and they last longer. Weight has an important effect on safety too.
How much does a battery weigh in grams?
It depends on the type of battery and where it’s used. An AAA battery for instance weighs about 12grams while AA batteries weigh 24grams.
Car Battery Weight Comparison
Car batteries are classified in weight as follows:
· Empty battery. An empty car battery weighs about 15 pounds or more, and it’s the lightest – depending on the type.
· Lightweight batteries. These are batteries suitable for small cars with good functionality. They are in a range of 10 to 20 pounds.
· Standard batteries. Most standard car batteries weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. These are batteries you can depend on for better functionality.
· Heavyweight batteries for EVs. There are other batteries that weigh more than 1000 pounds. These are more powerful batteries used in high performance EVs.
Here is a comparison of EVBs in most common EVs.
· 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid – 27.61 pounds
· 2011 Subaru Impreza – 39.01 pounds
· 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse – 46.60pounds
· Nissan/ Datsun Track – 37.74 pounds
For Electric Vehicles, the weight of batteries depends on the battery’s size and performance. So, if you are looking for a high-performance vehicle, you will need to consider a heavier battery.
Conclusion
Electric vehicle batteries are the heaviest components in EVs. But that is what makes them more efficient in terms of safety. Most manufacturers today are not interested in reducing this weight, but working on improving longevity and performance.?
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