Battery technology is evolving at an extraordinary pace, undergoing major advances both in terms of size and power density. These innovations have resulted in longer electric vehicle ranges as well as more effective use of in-cab energy usage.
Gaston Plante developed the first lead-acid batteries in 1859 with his landmark achievement being making their chemical reaction reversible.
Lead-Acid
Though technology advances have created more cost-efficient battery options, lead acid batteries remain a staple in automotive industry applications. Their durability, cost-efficiency and energy storage capacities remain highly valued assets that remain cost competitive today’s marketplace.
Traditionally, lead-acid batteries were wet cells — meaning their electrodes were submerged in liquid sulfuric acid — requiring periodic topping off with distilled water as well as gassing out through “boost charging.” These types of batteries need regular attention for maximum longevity.
Maintenance is vital to ensure the electrolyte has sufficient concentration of oxygen to trigger chemical reactions that produce electricity, especially as micro-hybrid cars rely on start/stop driving to increase stress on lead-acid batteries and shorten their lifespan. Many modern batteries include sealed units with breather systems designed to minimize electrolyte loss but must still be recharged periodically to remain functioning optimally; some even employ AGM (absorbed glass mat) dry cells which don’t need gassing or topping off as regularly.
Nickel-Metal Hydride
Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are rechargeable rechargeable batteries that use different electrode materials than nickel-cadmium (nicked), such as those containing cadmium. NiMH batteries offer higher energy density than lead acid batteries while offering improved cycle life as well.
NiMH batteries have been around for many decades and are considered a mature technology. At the height of hybrid and EV car sales in the early 2000s, most major automakers used NiMH batteries extensively in their hybrid vehicles.
Lead-acid batteries are great for providing bursts of power and storing electrical energy generated during regenerative braking, but lithium-ion batteries offer better value and reliability.
Their downsides include not handling fast charging as efficiently and taking up more room under the hood for fast charging. Still a viable choice depending on your priorities!
Lithium-Ion
Lithium-ion batteries have become ubiquitous in consumer electronics and EV cars alike, due to their high energy density, power-to-weight ratio, low self-discharge rate and excellent temperature performance. Furthermore, these rechargeable batteries don’t need fluid maintenance like their counterparts in flooded lead acid batteries.
Lithium batteries use lithium ions to produce electricity, with the voltage determined by the potential difference between anode and cathode materials – typically graphite being most popular; although some lithium batteries contain essential minerals such as nickel or cobalt.
At present, lithium-ion batteries power most new EVs. These may include either standard AGM batteries or more specialized Start/Stop AGMs used with stop/start systems.
Many companies are working to develop next-generation battery technologies that use less critical materials while improving recycling rates. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP), for instance, could significantly decrease cobalt and nickel consumption, while sodium-sulfur and solid state batteries replace their liquid electrolyte with salt compounds or solid materials instead.
Other
Nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries have had an enormously beneficial effect on the automotive industry, providing energy density with faster charging times that is helping reduce carbon emissions while making electric vehicles an attractive option for drivers.
The first primitive battery was created around 250 BC in what is now Iraq and consisted of a clay pot containing galvanic cells to generate small electrical current. Later in the 1800s, Alessandro Volta made numerous discoveries that furthered battery development.
Gaston Plante of France made history when he created a lead-acid battery capable of being recharged – leading to our current 12-volt systems in cars today. Your car battery starts your engine before providing power for electronic accessories while simultaneously recharging itself; some still require topping off with distilled water while others are maintenance-free; eventually they’ll be upgraded with more efficient alternatives, and this is what lies ahead for battery technology.