The vehicles we drive and the various ways we use them are constantly evolving, and automotive batteries are playing an increasingly important role. To keep up with increased demand on your battery, the technology of automotive batteries has dramatically advanced over the last several years. The range of choices and technologies is vast. That’s why we’re here to help you navigate through the different types of battery technologies and determine which is the best fit for your driving needs and your vehicle.

 

Battery Technologies:

All batteries are not created equal. Learn about the different types of batteries

Lead Flooded

A standard flooded lead-acid battery has been around for 100+ years as a technology.  Its cheap, stable, and great for the high cranking amp demand of most automobiles. It is terrible for energy storage.  There are two types of flooded lead: thin plate and thick plate lead.  In both types they are now making the liquid electrolyte with calcium (maintenance free) which prevents the liquid from boiling and gassing at 14.8v like their older antimony top brothers that require maintenance.  Thin plate lead is used for high cranking amps (engine cranking).  Thick plate lead has better energy storage and less amp cranking (energy storage).

Average lifespan is 3-6 years depending on how it's taken care of and used.

 

Lead Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)

AGM batteries are designed to provide superior power to support the higher electrical demands of today’s vehicles and start-stop applications.  They are filled with glass fibers which soak up the electrolyte and create a battery which can be sealed and can't spill.  This allows it to be positioned inside spaces and at any angle. 

Average lifespan of AGM is 5-6 years with a sharp fall off.

 

Lithium Ion (Li-ion)

Lithium Ion is super dense, has great energy per KG, and a great long term data set for being a very long lasting battery. This is a lithium battery chemistry that gets a bad rap in the news because of its volatile potential when abused or overcharged i.e. phones, laptops and vape pens catching fire.  In all off-grid applications, lithium batteries are made large enough that overheating of the cells because of high amperage is avoided. Also in these applications, all of the cells inside the batteries we make at Mac's are connected to and monitored by a BMS (battery management system) which will shut off charge if it experiences temperatures over the programmed values. However, abuse like fire or cell damage can lead to thermal runaway and potential catastrophic failure.

Average cycle life of Lithium Ion can be around 4,000 cycles with a degradation of 20% overall capacity

 

Lithium Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP)

The lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4 or LFP) is a type of lithium-ion battery using lithium iron phosphate as the cathode material, and a graphitic carbon electrode with a metallic backing as the anode. LFP batteries are becoming incredibly popular because of their lower cost, greatly improved safety, low toxicity, and long cycle life. LFP batteries are finding a number of roles in vehicle use, utility-scale applications, and backup power. At Mac's, we have a large selection of LFP in many different  

Average cycle life of LiFePO4 can be from 4,000-8,000 cycles with a degradation of 20% overall capacity 

 

Lithium Titanium Oxide (LTO)

The lithium-titanate or lithium-titanium-oxide (LTO) battery is a type of rechargeable battery which has the advantage of being faster to charge than other lithium-ion batteries but the disadvantage of having a much lower energy density. A lithium-titanate battery is a modified lithium-ion battery that uses lithium-titanate nanocrystals, instead of carbon, on the surface of its anode. This leads to fast charging (higher charging current) being much safer. It is capable of 8C continuous charge and discharge and can charge up in about 10 minutes from empty.

Average cycle life of LTO can be an impressive 35,000- 50,000 cycles