APR 26, 2022 Pageview:926
A Lithium-ion battery (also Li-ion) is a member of a family of rechargeable battery types in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge and back when charging. Li-ion batteries use an intercalated lithium compound as one electrode material, compared to the metallic lithium used in a non-rechargeable lithium battery.
The others are manganese oxide, and cobalt oxide, which are commonly used for portable electronics like mobile phones and laptops. lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiMnCoO2 or NMC), and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNiCoAlO2 or NCR) are other materials that are used in battery applications.
Lithium-ion batteries are common in consumer electronics. They are one of the most popular types of rechargeable batteries for portable electronics, with a high energy density, tiny memory effect and low self-discharge. Beyond consumer electronics, LIBs are also growing in popularity for military, battery electric vehicle and aerospace applications.
For example, lithium-ion batteries are becoming a common replacement for the lead–acid batteries that have been used historically for golf carts and utility vehicles.
The lithium-ion battery has allowed electric cars to go farther than ever before. Lithium-ion batteries are now found in every electric car, and in other vehicles like the Tesla Semi as well. They’re also used in many portable electronics, such as smartphones, laptops and tablets.
So what exactly is a lithium-ion battery? It’s a type of rechargeable battery that uses the movement of lithium ions through an electrolyte solution to provide power. Lithium is a very light metal with a high energy density, meaning that it stores more energy per pound than other metals (such as lead), despite its lower voltage.
The first commercialized lithium-ion battery was introduced by Sony in 1991 and they are now used in laptop computers, PDAs, cell phones, digital cameras, video recorders and many other electronic devices. The batteries are also making headway into automotive applications because they provide twice the energy density of conventional lead-acid batteries which allows them to power an electric vehicle up to 200 miles per charge.
There are several different types of lithium-ion battery technology, but all use these basic materials. Many different chemistries can be used for the electrodes, but the most common is graphite for the negative electrode and cobalt oxide (or sometimes manganese oxide) for the positive electrode. The electrolyte is usually a liquid organic compound such as ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate.
Lithium Ion Electric Car Battery Manufacturers
Today, there are more than a dozen companies making lithium-ion cells, including
1.Panasonic Corp. (TSE:6752)
Panasonic has been making EV batteries for a few years now, including those used by Tesla. The Japanese firm does not appear to be making many batteries in the United States, but it does have at least one plant near Detroit that makes small lithium-ion cells for power tools.
2.A123 Systems
A firm that once promised to make all of its batteries at a plant in Livonia, Mich., is now owned by China's Wanxiang Group Corp. and operated by subsidiary B456 Systems LLC. B456 says it will still make some batteries in Michigan, but it appears significantly more production will take place in China and elsewhere.
3.Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL)
This Chinese firm that makes lithium-ion batteries for automotive purposes is already selling to some European automakers and plans to build a plant in Germany. CATL also has an office in Troy, Mich., where it is investing $300 million and could eventually employ 1,000 people if business booms as expected.
4.Altair Nanotechnologies
Altair Nanotechnologies (ALTI) recently announced that its lithium ion cells will be used in the new Tesla Roadster, an electric sports car.
5.Cobasys
Cobasys is a joint venture between Chevron and Energy Conversion Devices. The company manufactures nickel-metal hydride batteries for vehicle use. The technology was acquired from Ovonics and has been used in many hybrid models including Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, GM Saturn Vue Green Line, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Toyota Highlander. Cobasys was also selected as one of three battery companies to supply lithium ion batteries to the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
6.Boston Power
Boston Power has developed a battery it touts as the first environmentally friendly lithium-ion solution for the laptop industry.
7.Ener1
Ener1 is working on lithium-ion batteries for hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrids. It is also working on grid storage solutions for utility companies. Its subsidiaries include EnerDel, which makes valve regulated lead acid batteries for computer backup power, wheelchairs and other applications, and EnerStruct, which develops structures for lithium-based rechargeable batteries.
8.Samsung SDI (South Korea)
Electric car battery supplier to BMW, Ford Motor Company and Daimler. The manufacturer also announced plans to build two new electric car battery manufacturing plants in Europe and China.
lithium ion battery for Electric Car Price
The cost of lithium-ion batteries is falling rapidly. Electric cars should be cheaper to build than internal combustion ones by the end of 2022.
In the two decades it has taken to develop cars with hybrid or fully electric powertrains, the price of lithium-ion batteries has fallen from about $1,000 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to around $227/kWh, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). Batteries make up a third of the cost of an electric car; so as their price falls, EVs become more affordable.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that EV battery prices will drop below $100/kWh in 2025, and perhaps even below $70/kWh by 2030. At these prices, EVs are expected to reach cost parity with internal combustion engine vehicles in most markets.
Electric Car Lithium ion Battery Life
If you want to buy an electric car, one of your biggest concerns is likely to be the battery. How long will it last?
Lithium-ion batteries have a life of about eight years. They degrade in storage and when used, so how long they last depends on how you treat them. When the battery reaches 80% efficiency or lower, it needs to be replaced to keep your car safe.
Under normal driving conditions, you should get anywhere from 5 to 10 years out of your lithium-ion battery. If you drive at a high speed or in extreme heat or cold, you may need to replace your battery sooner. On average, though, most drivers get about 10 years out of their lithium-ion battery.
Conclusion
Lithium-ion batteries already have a place in electric cars and the automotive industry is working to make them even more efficient. The manufacturers around the globe are working towards making lithium-ion car batteries better and cheaper. This is something everyone should embrace because it aims at reducing costs and reducing pollution.
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