What’s the Difference Between a Lithium Battery and a Lead-acid Battery? Which one is better?

Lithium batteries and lead-acid batteries are the two main batteries produced by KIJO. But what is the difference between these two batteries and which one is better? Can lithium batteries be used to replace lead-acid batteries?

In the past, electric vehicles were mainly relying on lead-acid batteries to drive. However, ever since the advent of lithium batteries, the prominent status of lead-acid batteries has become shaky. But  this does not mean that lead-acid batteries will definitely be eliminated, it still has some advantages that lithium batteries cannot possess. So let us take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of lead-acid batteries.

1. The advantages of lead-acid batteries

• Ability of shock resistance
  

The outer structure of the lead-acid battery is mainly made up of ABS resin, so it has good impact resistance and will not drop rapidly even at low temperatures. Its impact resistance is related to the amount of rubber contained in the resin, particle size, grafting rate, and dispersion state. Its impact resistance is also related to the use environment. Normally, the higher the temperature, the greater the impact resistance. The good impact resistance of ABS resin materials can basically be attributed to the fact that rubber particles can absorb external impact energy and inhibit the development of cracking. In short, the structure of the lead-acid battery is relatively fixed, and it will not be damaged due to the usual bumps.

• Good price

The main reason why lead-acid batteries, such as the industrial lead acid battery, have been so popular in the electric vehicle industry for so many years is that they are affordable. Therefore, a considerable number of manufacturers choose to use lead-acid batteries in order to spend the cost on other structures of electric vehicles.

• Repairable

The idea that the battery (storage battery) repair can extend the service life has been recognized and accepted by the majority of customers, and the lead-acid battery can also be replaced with a new one if it is damaged within the warranty terms.

• Heat resistance

Summer is the high-occurrence season for battery problems. The main reason is that the ordinary battery is not heat-resistant; whereas, the ABS resin material in lead-acid batteries has excellent thermal properties. Among thermoplastics, it has a smaller coefficient of linear expansion. Most ABS plastics can still have considerable impact strength at -40°C and exhibit toughness. Therefore, the temperature range of general ABS plastic products is from -40°C to 100°C.

From the above discussion, we can clearly see that the lead-acid battery does have its own advantages; however, there must also be a reason why the lithium battery, who made its entrance much later, can shake the status of the lead-acid battery in the industry.

2. The disadvantages of lead-acid batteries

• Heavy

The first impression that lead-acid batteries give us is big, heavy, and ugly. As for the electric vehicles, using lead-acid batteries is just like placing a piece of heavy iron on the body. Moreover, the trait of being heavy will also lead to a reduction in the conversion rate of battery life.

• Limited capacity

The electric capacity of lithium batteries is also limited, but it is still much larger than that of lead-acid batteries. Generally, a higher electric capacity represents an increase in battery life.

• Short life

The memory charge of a lead-acid battery is about 500 times, so the lifespan of a lead-acid battery is only about two years.