Batteries play a key role in our daily lives. They are found in almost every device, from remote controls and toys to larger appliances such as vehicles and energy storage.
Let’s focus on the last two categories: vehicles and energy storage. There are many solutions available on the market, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. It is worth analyzing them carefully before making a decision.
It is worth noting that the group of lead-acid batteries also includes gel and AGM batteries.
We’ll give you key information to help you choose the right solution. The decision is yours. If you need support or have additional questions, we’re here to help!
Battery parameters – what is worth knowing?
Before we go into details, let’s look at the key parameters of different types of batteries:
| Battery type | LTO | LiFePo4 | Lead-acid |
| Nominal voltage (V) | 2.3 | 3.2 | 2.0 |
| Energy density (Wh/kg) | 75-100 | 100-280 | 30-45 |
| Recommended operating temperatures (°C) | -40 ~ 60 | -20 ~ 55 | 10~50 |
| Charging time (min) | 6-15 | 120-180 | 360-600 |
| Life Cycle (80% DoD) | >20000 | 2000-6000 | 300-600 |
| Charging current (C) | 5-30C | 0.5-2C | 0.1C |
| Discharge current (C) | 5-60C | 10C | 1C |
| Security level (1-5) | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Environmental safety | Safe for the environment | Safe for the environment | Possible lead pollution |
I will describe a few more parameters for you that are important and may require additional description.
- Energy density (Wh/kg) – The higher the energy density, the less space we need to mount the battery.
- Life Cycle (80% DoD) – DoD stands for Depth of Discharge, where 0% is a full charge and 100% is a full discharge. The number of battery life cycles is then determined by discharging from 100% to 20% and recharging
- Charge/discharge current – Values provided by manufacturers, calculated as the battery capacity multiplied by the C value (e.g. for a 40 Ah LTO battery and a C value of 5, we get 200A).
We have already described the dry data from which we can draw certain conclusions, and now let us focus on describing the advantages and disadvantages of each type of battery.
LTO batteries
Advantages:
- Up to 25,000 cycles possible while maintaining 80% of the initial capacity
- Very fast loading time
- Wide operating temperature range
- Retains >90% capacity at low temperatures (below 0)
- Extremely safe
- Can be mounted in any position
- Perfect for long-term energy storage
- Different brands offer a very wide range of battery options
- Low depreciation
Defects:
- High purchase costs
- Lower energy density – therefore requires more space
- Possible unfavorable operating voltage range
- A very large non-officiall sellers, which results in a very large number of defective batteries or batteries with poor parameters
- The niche market causes a lack of sufficient information on how to use them properly.
LiFePO4 Batteries
Advantages:
- Up to 6000 cycles possible, but to about 50% or less of the initial capacity
- Average purchase costs
- Very high energy density, which allows us to save space
- Ideal for large energy storage systems
- Very high capacity
- Approximately 8-12 years of service life
Defects:
- The battery must be mounted vertically
- Very fast aging when deeply discharged or overcharged
- Cannot charge at temperatures below 0
- There is a risk of internal short circuit and explosion
Acid battery
Advantages:
- In the case of AGM – the ability to work in different positions
- Very low purchase cost
- Względna odporność na niskie temperatury
- Ideal for large energy storage systems
- Very high capacity
- Approximately 8-12 years of service life
Defects:
- They require safe charging at low current levels.
- Sensitive to deep discharge, which reduces their efficiency
- Cannot charge at temperatures below 0
- There is a risk of internal short circuit and explosion
- High Weight
- Very slow charging and discharging
What do the costs look like over the life of individual batteries?
We would also like to present you a cost comparison based on selected batteries. We do not pay attention to the capacity, because of course you can choose it yourself. The battery multiplicity will only affect the final price, while the energy density will always remain the same.
As a free bonus, we will also add a relatively popular Optima battery to the comparison.
This includes the total cost to be incurred, i.e.:
- LTO – Yinlong 2.3V; 40 Ah x6 batteries, bridges for 1 pack, balancer, assembly – total amount PLN 1,723
- LiFePo4 – EVE kit 3.2V; 105Ah with bridges, balancer. Cost PLN 950
- Optima – Optima Yellow Top YTS5.5 12V 75Ah 975A – Cost 1289 PLN
- Acid battery – Varta Silver Dynamic 12V 100Ah – PLN 665
- AGM battery – Varta Silver Dynamic AGM 12V – 105 Ah – PLN 1,050
Now let’s move on to the comparison:
| Type | LTO | LiFePo4 | Optima | Acid battery | AGM battery |
| Price | 1723 zł | 950 zł | 1289 zł | 665 zł | 1050 zł |
| Capacity | 40 Ah | 105 Ah | 75 Ah | 100 Ah | 105 Ah |
| Nominal voltage | 13,8 V | 12,8 V | 12 V | 12 V | 12 V |
| Number of cycles | 20000 | 3500 | 1000 | 400 | 600 |
| Available energy | 13,8 V * 40 Ah = 552 Wh | 12.8 V * 105 Ah = 1344 Wh | 12 V * 75 Ah = 900 Wh | 12 V * 100 Ah = 1200 Wh | 12 V * 105 Ah = 1260 Wh |
| Available energy by cycles | 552 Wh * 20000 / 1000 = 11040 kWh | 1344 Wh * 3500 / 1000 = 4704 kWh | 900 Wh * 1000 / 1000 = 900 kWh | 1200 Wh * 400 / 1000 = 480 kWh | 1260 Wh * 600 / 1000 = 756 kWh |
| Price per kWh | 1723 zł / 11040 kWh = 0,16 zł/kWh | 950 zł / 4704 kWh = 0,20 zł/kWh | 1289 zł / 900 kWh = 1,43 zł/kWh | 665 zł / 480 kWh = 1,38 zł/kWh | 1050 zł / 756 kWh = 1,39 zł/kWh |
| Assumption | We assume 100% SoC – feasible | We assume 100% SoC – practically impossible to achieve | We assume 100% SoC – Practically impossible to achieve | We assume 100% SoC – a utopian value | We assume 100% SoC – a utopian value |
Given the cost and availability of energy, the decision to select the appropriate battery should also take into account the method of use and operating conditions of the battery.
Of course, there are many different solutions on the market, we took examples, so the price per kWh may vary.
Our company focuses on quality, safety and durability, which is why we recommend LTO batteries, which are among the safest on the market. If you need help choosing the right solution, please contact us!