You’re probably wondering what the differences are between an EV car battery made of Lithium-ion technology and a Nickel-metal hydride or Nickel-iron-phosphate (NiFePo) battery. Let’s take a look. Each is designed for various uses.
Nickel-metal hydride (NMH) battery
The nickel-metal hydride car battery is a common type of rechargeable battery for vehicles. Its high energy density makes it an excellent choice for use in electric cars. These batteries can also be found in hybrid vehicles. While hybrids do not need a plug to function, they are designed to run on electric power for short periods. Although hybrids still have lead-acid batteries, most of them are equipped with Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, which help them to save fuel and emit fewer emissions.
The cost of a NiMH battery is competitive with other car battery types. Many manufacturers offer a warranty on their products. Some of the leading manufacturers of nickel-metal hydride batteries are Panasonic, Duracell Inc., Energizer, and Primearth EV Energy Co.. In addition, some manufacturers also make custom-designed batteries. Some of these companies have developed new technologies to improve the quality of their products.
Nickel-iron phosphate (NiFePo) battery
While the Nickel-iron-phosphate (NiFePo), or nickel-iron, battery is relatively inexpensive, it can be expensive to maintain. A full charge requires approximately seven hours at a normal cell rate. This charge time is dependent on the previous discharge level of the battery. Moreover, overcharging can waste current and increase the battery’s temperature. A Nickel-iron-phosphate battery does not contain any hazardous materials, including lead and cadmium. In addition, nickel-iron batteries do not require any toxic treatment.
This chemistry is more affordable to produce, due to the lower cost of manufacturing it. Unlike LiFePo, LiFePO4 batteries do not contain precious metals, making them more cost-effective to purchase. LiFePO4 has higher energy density, which makes it more attractive for electric vehicles and cordless power tools.
Nickel
Nickel is a crucial component of an EV car battery, and the use of this element is expected to increase as EVs become more popular. It can improve the energy density of EV batteries, which could help them to have longer driving ranges. In recent years, car manufacturers have increased the density of their batteries, ranging from an NMC 3-3-3 configuration to an NMC 8-1-1 configuration.
However, the price of nickel and cobalt has risen over the last year, raising concerns about a shortage of the metals. With competition for the supply of these materials more intense than ever, nickel and cobalt prices are likely to continue their climb. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has recently expressed concerns about the lack of availability of these materials. Nonetheless, he has praised LFP as the future of Tesla’s standard-range EVs. In December, his 55KWh LFP-battery-powered Model 3 captured 5.9% of the global full-electric car market. However, it is not yet on sale in the United States.
Cobalt
Cobalt is a key ingredient in EV car batteries. As a result, cobalt has become a scarce resource. The auto industry has been scrambling to secure a sustainable supply of the metal. GM recently announced an agreement with commodities firm Glencore PLC to purchase cobalt from the company’s mine in Australia. The company plans to use the metal in proprietary batteries, which are expected to power its new plug-in models.
Cobalt is a critical component in lithium-ion batteries. In addition to its high capacity and power output, cobalt improves the stability of the battery. Newer chemistries are reducing the amount of cobalt required in batteries and are currently being used in Chinese electric vehicles.