Lithium 2 Wheeler EV Batteries : Myths VS Reality

Author: Cygni Energy

The lithium 2 wheeler EV battery is lightweight, has a longer life span, and a discharge that is powerful yet one of the reliable and safest technologies used for motorbikes. As this type of battery is enclosed in a lightweight and tight casing, the riders will have the chance to improve the performance of their 2 wheeler EV since its weight will have significant importance, resulting in faster speed and greater acceleration. Lithium-ion are commonly used to power consumer electronics. Containing inorganic phosphates, Lithium-ion batteries are currently the safest, most fire-resistant rechargeable battery. Discharge remains consistent until a Lithium battery is almost completely empty. A lithium battery has a much slower self-discharge rate than a lead-acid battery, but most modern bikes draw some power even when parked up (and especially if they have an alarm or tracker); lithium cells must not be discharged too far or they’ll be permanently damaged, so you’ll also need to buy a charger that’s designed for lithium packs.

Lithium 2 wheeler EV batteries boast loads of advantages over lead-acid 2 wheeler EV batteries. They used to be more than twice the price of a regular lead-acid battery but over the past two years prices have tumbled and they’re now comparable in cost to a quality lead-acid battery.

A lithium 2 wheeler EV battery can also deliver this cranking ability when the battery is down to around 10-15% of peak charge, but a lead-acid batteries ability to crank diminishes rapidly when the battery is not at – or near – fully charged status because lithium is more expensive than lead, manufacturers set up their lithium batteries to deliver the same or higher cranking ability than a lead-acid but a lithium battery will have a low amp-hour (Ah) rating.

What Makes Lithium Power Batteries So Damn Good

  • (a) Extremely light weight
  • (b) Very high cranking power relative to size and weight.
  • (c) Very low self-discharge rate (about 3% every month).
  • (d) Very small size.
  • (e) No internal liquids or acids that can spill - can be mounted in any orientation.
  • (f) Unlike lead acid batteries LiFePO4 lithium batteries do not produce explosive gasses like hydrogen when charging or discharging.
  • (g) Very fast charging times typically a discharged battery can be fully recharged in 1-2 hours. By comparison a discharged lead acid battery will take over 12 hours to charge to full capacity.
  • (h) Vastly superior reliability and a very long service life compared to lead acid batteries. Target life for lithium 2 wheeler battery(With a built in BMS) is ten years!
  • (i) High energy density potential for yet higher capacities.
  • (j) Low Maintenance no periodic discharge is needed; there is no memory.

Myths about Lithium 2 wheeler batteries

Lithium batteries will catch fire: Those reported incidents usually are from lithium-ion batteries, used mostly in small electronics such as laptops or cell phones. Lithium battery for the 2 wheeler, however, has a combined lithium-ion-phosphate that gives extra effectiveness for chemical stability compared to the lithium-ion batteries.

Use a regular battery charger: No, you can’t. Many battery chargers have microprocessors that will collect information from your battery and adjust the current and voltage, accordingly, safeguarding from charge flooding. Overcharging will kill battery.

Lithium batteries will not last long: Not all the time this is true. For some instance, if the purchase doesn't have a Battery Management System (BMS), it will likely drain. BMS prevents the battery from being drained entirely and causes damage to it. BMS feature is not present in all lithium batteries so might as well look for this feature before purchasing to ensure a longer life span of the battery.

Lithium batteries are unfit for cold temperatures: There's a truth that cold temperatures will affect the batteries but there's also a technique to improve the performance of lithium batteries in cold temperatures. By powering it up for few minutes, the battery will warm up as it was being delivered of electricity enough to stand the cold temperature.

Reality about Lithium 2 wheeler batteries

Lithium batteries are lightweight: Compared to other lithium-ion battery, lithium battery is more lightweight. Racers opted to use this battery to shed off some weight off their motorcycle and achieve better performance. Lithium batteries have much power density that you'll get more cranking amps.

Lithium batteries give more power output: It will give 13 volts until the end. It has extended storage and about 1 % self-discharging for 45 days regardless of the temperature and in the cold season, just stick to the warm-up process.

Lithium 2 wheeler batteries have a far better power density than lead-acid batteries: Lithium 2 wheeler batteries have a far better power density than lead-acid batteries which is another advantage. This implies they produce more cranking amps per pound of body weight.

Almost all Lithium battery failures occurred in batteries without the right Battery Management System: A Battery Management System is a sophisticated charger with the built-in technology necessary to balance your discharge/recharge loads on a lithium 2 wheeler EV battery. A BMS will shift a battery down when accidental overcharge situations that lead to overheating or fires may occur. No matter what type of battery you use, always purchase a charger/BMS specifically indicated for use with your type of battery.

Before acquiring lithium batteries, take note first of your 2 wheeler charging system. This charging system should put out about 14 volts at 2,000 rpm and 13 to 14 volts for a lithium battery. If it doesn't meet the number needed for a healthy charging system, the lithium battery would not charge and might as well run out of juice. It would be ideal to get a smart charging system when using a lithium battery for better vehicle performance.