1. In terms of appearance, the commonly used electric vehicle batteries on the market mainly include the following types:
Cylindrical battery: This is one of the most commonly used battery types, consisting of multiple cylindrical battery cells. For example, Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model 3 use cylindrical 18650 model battery cells.
Prismatic battery: This kind of battery is usually composed of multiple prismatic battery cells. For example, Nissan LEAF uses prismatic battery cells.
Rectangular battery: This kind of battery is usually composed of multiple rectangular battery cells. For example, some Chinese brands of electric vehicles use rectangular battery cells.
Polygonal batteries: Some vehicle companies are also trying to use battery cells in other shapes. For example, the BMW i3 uses hexagonal battery cells.
2. In terms of raw materials, the commonly used electric vehicle batteries on the market mainly include the following types:
1. Lead-acid battery
Advantages: Lead-acid batteries have low cost, good low temperature performance, and high cost performance;
Disadvantages: low energy density, short life, large volume.
Purpose: Due to the low energy density and service life, it cannot have good vehicle speed and high cruising range, and is generally used in low-speed vehicles.
2. Ni-MH battery
Advantages: Ni-MH batteries have low cost, mature technology, long life and durability;
Disadvantages: low energy density, large size, low voltage, and battery memory effect. Contains heavy metals and will pollute the environment if abandoned.
Purpose: Performance is better than lead-acid batteries. 99% of the existing hybrid battery market share is nickel-metal hydride power batteries.
3. Lithium manganate battery
Advantages: Lithium manganate battery has low cost, safety and good low-temperature performance as cathode material;
Disadvantages: The material itself is not very stable and easily decomposes to produce gas. Its cycle life decays quickly and is prone to bulging. It has poor high-temperature performance and a relatively short lifespan;
Purpose: Mainly used for large and medium-sized battery cells and power batteries. Its nominal voltage is 3.7V.
4. Lithium iron phosphate battery
Advantages: Lithium iron phosphate battery has good thermal stability, safety, low cost and long life;
Disadvantages: low energy density and fear of low temperatures.
Purpose: When the battery temperature is between 500-600°C, its internal chemical components begin to decompose, and will not burn or explode due to puncture, short circuit, or high temperature, and have a longer service life. However, the vehicle’s cruising range is average, and when the temperature is below -5°C, the charging efficiency is low, making it unsuitable for charging needs in the north in winter.
5. Ternary lithium battery
Advantages: Ternary lithium-ion batteries have high energy density, long cycle life, and are not afraid of low temperatures;
Disadvantages: Insufficient stability at high temperatures, flammable and explosive.
Purpose: pure electric vehicles with required cruising range, which is the mainstream direction and suitable for northern weather. The battery is more stable at low temperatures.
6. Sodium-ion battery
Advantages: low temperature performance, fast charging, strong environmental adaptability, and greater availability of sodium ion raw materials.
Disadvantages: low energy density and number of cycles.
Usage: Currently under exploration, it can be used as an alternative.
Summary: In the field of high-end passenger cars, ternary batteries have absolute advantages; in the field of commercial vehicles and mid- to low-end passenger cars, lithium iron phosphate batteries have absolute advantages.