Li-ion Batteries in a Cold Environment

Lithium-ion, also known as Li-ion batteries, are the most demanding battery in this world. You can find them in a wide variety of products and electronic items, from laptops to electric vehicles. You might be surprised to learn that aeroplanes also use Li-ion batteries. The high demand for these batteries is also impacting the industry of Li-ion batteries. As per the stats, the li-ion batteries market size was about $52.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at 16.5% CAGR from 2023 to 2032.

But if you are going to a place with extreme weather conditions, your top priority might be having a better power source because lower power performance can impact your overall adventure trip experience. So now the question is whether li-ion batteries are an ideal battery option for extremely cold conditions. You must read this article if you also need clarification about this confusion.

This article will provide every necessary information about the performance of Li-ion batteries in cold weather. Moreover, you will also get tips to charge li-ion batteries in icy weather. So let us dive into li-ion batteries' performance in cold weather.

Are Li-ion batteries suitable for cold weather?

Extreme cold weather can be frustrating and cause worry for every battery owner because it can harm the battery's life. Cold weather conditions can degrade the health and longevity of standard lead-acid batteries. Typically, a lead-acid battery will weaken as you pull more from them in cold temperatures. 

If you have Li-ion batteries, you must not worry about the cold weather. Li-ion batteries are safe to use in temperatures ranging from -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, making them suitable for all weather conditions.

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These batteries deliver much better performance than lead-acid batteries in cold weather. You will be surprised to learn that Li-ion batteries warm up themself reducing the battery resistance and improving its voltage.  In short, Li-ion batteries are ideal if you want to use them in freezing weather.

Does cold weather affect Li-ion batteries?

Cold weather affects all types of batteries, including Li-ion batteries. The efficiency and capacity of all batteries decrease when the temperature goes below 32 degrees. Lead-acid batteries provide 70 to 80 percent of their rated capacity below 32-degree temperature. On the other hand, Li-ion batteries provide 95 to 98 percent of their actual capacity. When charging at temperatures above freezing, the porous graphite that makes up the anode, the battery's negative terminal, absorbs the lithium ions inside the battery like a sponge.

The anode below cold temperature does not efficiently capture the lithium-ions. Instead, many lithium ions coat the surface of the anode, a process known as lithium plating, which means less lithium is available to cause the flow of electricity and the battery's capacity to decrease. Moreover, charging below cold conditions at an inappropriate charging rate will cause the battery to become less mechanically stable and cause sudden failures.

Charging Lithium-ion Batteries in Cold Weather 

Suppose you want to increase the life duration of Li-ion batteries. In that case, you must follow different charging protocols in cold weather conditions—approximately every battery needs a more involved charging process when temperatures drop. 

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When charging at colder temperatures, the battery suffers damage proportional to the charging rate. Charging at a slower rate can reduce damage, but this is rarely a viable option. Below is the detail of the charging rate that you must follow when the temperature starts dropping-

●When the temperature range between 14 to 32-degree Fahrenheit, you should charge the Li-ion batteries below 0.1 C,

●When the temperature drop between -4 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, you should not charge your Li-ion batteries at the charging rate of 0.05 C.

Indeed, this rate will slow the charging speed and complicate the entire battery process because you might not be aware of how cold it could become during the Li-ion battery charging cycle. 

In short, you must not charge your battery when the temperature decreases, freezing without reducing the current. If you charge below-freezing temperatures, ensure the charge current is 5-10% of the battery's capacity.

Li-ion Battery Performance in Cold Weather 

It is a universal truth that the performance of every battery effect in a negative way in extreme weather conditions. Whether it is winter or summer. But Li-ion batteries perform far better than other types of batteries in frigid weather. You must take proper preservative measures so your batteries can survive and work effectively in extreme weather. The human body takes several minutes after being outside to warm up. This phrase also applies to Li-ion batteries because they warm up in frigid weather. Remember, a battery's main feature is storing or releasing energy.

 But cold conditions or temperatures increase the internal resistance of Li-ion or lithium-ion batteries, which can lower the capacity of Li-ion batteries. This situation drastically affects the main feature of Li-ion batteries, which means they cannot release or retain as much energy as they can in average weather conditions. You guess it right! You have to charge Li-ion batteries more frequently during extreme icy weather.

You must remember that the life span of Li-ion batteries only includes a vast number of charging cycles. Li-ion batteries only include approx. 3000 to 5000 cycles. So you should use the cycle of these batteries in an efficient way. It would be better not to waste unnecessary power in extreme icy weather conditions.

Do lithium batteries die in the cold?

Li-ion batteries are constructed to deliver better performance in cold weather. The performance of these batteries declines when the temperature goes below average. The Li-ion batteries might fail to transfer energy when the temperature becomes deadly and freezing. It means that Li-ion batteries died when the temperature became freezy.

Conclusion

Most batteries fail to deliver the best battery performance in freezing weather. But Li-ion batteries can deliver far better performance than other types of batteries in extreme freezy weather. But you have to take extra precautions to improve Li-ion battery performance. We hope the information provided in this article helped you use Li-ion batteries in cold weather.