Lithium-ion batteries, Why do we need them for electric vehicles?

Introduction

When it comes to the manufacture of electric vehicles, there is a variety of batteries to choose from in the market. Because the battery is responsible for supplying power to the motor, it plays an indispensable role in the overall function of electric vehicles. Although lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride are all used in electric vehicle manufacturing, one battery is obviously ahead of other batteries: lithium-ion battery. Why do we need lithium ion battery for electric vehicles? Lithium-ion batteries were first commercialized in consumer electronic products such as notebook computers and now are used in electric vehicles by major manufacturers including Tesla and Renault. This passage tries to explain why is lithium-ion battery used in electric cars? How do battery 18650 work in electric cars? And provides a few ways to maintain Lithium-Ion Batteries of the electric vehicle. 

lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles

Reason why do we need lithium batteries for electric vehicles?

As mentioned above, electric car batteries are generally made up of lithium-ion cells. It’s widely used because of its following advantages:

To mention first, the maintenance cost is low. The low maintainability of lithium-ion is an advantage, and it has most other types of batteries on the market. The life of the battery does not have to be extended by a predetermined cycle, nor does it require memory. As a result, the engine of an electric vehicle needs less maintenance.

Secondly, lithium-ion battery is longevity. A lithium-ion battery is famous for its long-term use. In fact, one lithium-ion battery for an electric vehicle will last between 10-20 years before you need to get a new one. This has advantages, and the reason is obvious. If you use lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles, you can accurately extend the life of your electronic equipment. In addition, you don’t have to change the battery frequently.

What’s more, lithium-ion battery do not pollute the environment. Like the widespread use of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries have a much greater impact on the environment than fossil fuel substitutes. They are helpful to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere and environment. In addition to helping the earth by increasing the number of electric vehicles in motion, this is also beneficial for manufacturers from a commercial point of view. Consumers appreciate the green methods of today’s era, and so do governments around the world, which now provide incentives to environmental protection companies.

Last but not least, Battery 18650 can fast charge. Because of the fast charging speed of lithium-ion, this is another selling point for electric vehicle manufacturers. Those who own electric cars don’t want to leave their cars idle for hours waiting to be charged. They hope to charge the car quickly and then continue their journey. In addition, it is also possible to charge the battery by chance. This means that lithium ion battery for electric vehicles do not need to be fully charged during their use.

electric vehicles(1)

How Do Lithium Batteries Work In Electric Cars?

A lithium ion battery for electric vehicles consists of an anode, cathode, separator, electrolyte, and two current collectors (anode and cathode). The positive and negative electrodes store the lithium. The electrolyte carries positively charged lithium ions from the anode to the cathode through the separator, and vice versa. When the battery is discharging and current is supplied, the anode releases lithium-ions to the cathode, resulting in electron flow from side to side. When charging the batteries, the situation is just the opposite: lithium-ions are released by the cathode and received by the anode. The separator prevents the flow of electrons inside the battery.

To achieve the load and power capacity of traditional passenger vehicles, the batteries of electric cars are composed of a group or a group of lithium-ion batteries, which are connected by a circuit and monitored by an independent computer. Depending on the voltage required by each automobile brand or its use, the number and arrangement of lithium-ion battery is different. The battery 18650 are normally located under the rear seats inside the passenger compartment, or in the trunk. In some more modern vehicles, due to their large size, they are located in the lower part of the car. Covered by an aluminum casing, and protected from moisture.

Maintaining Lithium Batteries of electric vehicle

Batteries of electric vehicle(3)

What are the practical rules to prevent premature aging of lithium-ion batteries? In order to keep your battery in good condition, there are a series of things to do and not to do.

First, batteries don’t like being too full or in space. Ideally, you would never let them charge more than 80% or discharge less than 20%, because, outside the range of 80-20%, this will put pressure on and degrade lithium-ion. If you need the endurance of a fully charged battery, keep it fully charged but once the battery reaches 100%, take it off the charger. It is not advisable to leave your Li-ion battery charging overnight. It may damage your batteries if you always overcharge them. 

In terms of charging frequency, the total journey is less than 50 kilometers every day, so it is meaningless to charge completely every night. Once a week should be sufficient. Make full use of the battery at all stages of the charging cycle, instead of maintaining a high level through frequent charging.

Besides, avoid being exposed to high and low temperatures, especially during charging. Also, avoid charging under very cold conditions. Extreme temperature accelerates the degradation of almost all battery components. For this reason, some electric vehicle manufacturers suggest that the car should be plugged in on very hot days so that the battery cooling system can run. As a guide, if the temperature is out of the range of 50-95 degrees Fahrenheit (10-35 degrees Celsius), try not to charge.

Conclusion

Why do we need lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles? Because of the low maintenance cost, longevity working life, environmentally friendly and fast charging, lithium-ion battery is favored by electronic cars. Considering the principle of operation for lithium-ion batteries work in electric cars, we need to pay attention to the temperature, don’t frequently charge or overcharge batteries to extend their life. 

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