Advantages and disadvantages of lithium-ion batteries

A lithium-ion (li-ion) battery is a type of rechargeable battery used in most electronic compact gadgets, electric vehicles, inverters, and is growing in popularity for industrial applications. Everyone once in a life has used a lithium-ion battery and knows some of the advantages and disadvantages of lithium-ion batteries.

In this article, I’ll share all the advantages and disadvantages of using lithium-ion batteries.

Advantages of lithium-ion batteries.

• Lithium-ion batteries can operate on higher capacities due to their high energy density means it is able to store a lot of energy in a small amount of mass.
• Since there is no memory no timely discharge is needed, this feature makes it a low maintenance battery. Just make sure batteries are not kept discharged and inoperative for a very long time.
• Such batteries have a relatively low self-discharge rate – less than half of nickel-based batteries. Technically, 5% in the very first 24 hours, then 1–2% per month + 3% for battery management safety circuit.
• Newer batteries do not need prolonged priming, a regular recharge is all that’s needed. It will recover itself from a few cycles.
• Specialty cells can offer very high current to high-end applications like drill machines, automated screwdrivers, etc.

Disadvantages of lithium-ion batteries.

• Lithium-ion batteries require a protection circuit to maintain voltage and current within safe limits. Ensure that a BMS (Battery Management System) unit is installed in your battery bank otherwise it may burn or explode.
• Such batteries are subject to age, even when it is not being used. To avoid this aging effect you should store it in a cool area (normal storage conditions or room temperature) with more than 40% charging level.
• Lithium-ion batteries are expensive to manufacture and costs 40% higher than nickel-cadmium.
• Due to above all disadvantages, there are transportation restrictions in the shipment of larger quantities and may be subject to regulatory control. However, this restriction does not apply to small carry-on batteries.

These are the advantages and disadvantages of lithium-ion batteries.