The transition to electric mobility – more economical and sustainable – is closer than we think, even as a matter of survival. Electric batteries are the heart of these vehicles, but not everyone is well aware of their characteristics.
However, in the medium term, conventional batteries for combustion vehicles will cease to exist, giving way to lithium electric batteries.
And if you are already thinking about buying an electric vehicle, more than importantly, it is necessary that you know about electric batteries. After all, as they are still not common in our reality, it is natural to have many doubts about them.
In this article, you will learn about their characteristics and the main questions that people usually have about lithium batteries.
Continue reading and find out!
How electric batteries work
It’s not much of a secret, batteries are the source of energy that powers the engine and makes the vehicle go.
Unlike conventional batteries that use fossil fuels such as gasoline, electric batteries work using electricity.
Therefore, when unloading, it is recharged using the energy in your home wall socket or a charger suitable for this.
Just like you do with your cell phone! Practical, isn’t it?!
Lithium batteries: the most used in electric vehicles
The most common type of battery used in electric vehicles is the lithium-ion battery, which is also the same used in cell phones, so it is not totally unknown.
Lithium electric batteries have several particularities and advantages over lead batteries, as shown in the table below:
| lithium batteries | lead batteries | |
| Energy density (Wh/Kg) | 100 -300 | 30 -40 |
| Power Density (W/kg) | 1000 – 5000 | 180 |
| Life cycle | 5000 – 15000 | 500 – 800 |
| Loading and unloading efficiency | 95 – 99% | 70 – 92% |
| Own discharge rate | 1 – 5% / month | 3 – 20% / month |
| overload tolerance | Low | High |
| Maintenance | No need | 3 – 6 months |
| fast charge time | 1 hour or less | 8 – 16 hours |
In addition, they do not suffer from the famous memory effect and can be loaded before being completely discharged.
Unlike cell phones where the indication is to let it discharge completely and then connect the charger.
Lithium batteries still have a high weight/power density and energy efficiency, which does not compromise it at high temperatures. In addition, most lithium electric battery parts are recyclable, so they are great choices for the environment.
Caring for Electric Batteries
Some precautions are necessary to extend battery life and efficiency. Therefore, we separate some common questions regarding electric batteries.
1 – Can I leave it charging after reaching 100% charge?
Maybe yes. It is common to hear that this “addicts” the battery, but it is not true. Electric batteries have a technology that maintains communication between the battery and the charger. After reaching 100% charge, the battery sends a signal to the charger that stops charging and goes into “floating” mode.
2 – What to do with the battery if I spend a few months away?
Give it a full charge and put it away. Avoid wet, exposed places and protect from the sea if you live on the coast.
3 – Can I charge before the battery runs out?
Yes! For electric batteries, the ideal is to charge them with 20% charge.
4- Will my vehicle’s autonomy be greater if I let the battery “breathe”?
Yes! Using the vehicle for continuous periods decreases battery life. When you let the battery rest it recovers charges and renews its capacity.
Electric vehicles are the future of sustainable mobility
The transition to sustainable mobility is knocking on the door. It is estimated that by 2040, 47% of vehicles will already have an electric motor, according to data from the Bloomberg New Energy Finance organization.
Today, micro-mobility is already a reality in many urban centers, as a sustainable and economical alternative for short distances.
But the fact is that even for greater distances, electric vehicles, such as scooters, are already reaching new spaces and are part of conscious choices.