You’ve probably noticed that more and more people are turning to electric vehicles each year in the UK. After all, the government is pushing EVs as a long-term solution that will help us reduce our collective dependency on fossil fuels. So, with that in mind, which types of batteries are used in electric vehicles? Let’s take a closer look at the different battery types currently used in cars.
Lithium-ion Batteries
The majority of new electric cars available on the UK market have lithium-ion batteries, usually Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO) or Lithium Nickle Cobalt Oxide (NCA). Some EV manufacturers use cylindrical cells (Tesla), while others use prismatic (Volkswagen) or even pouch-type lithium-ion batteries (Hyundai). Cylindrical cells are preferred due to their reliability and the fact that they are energy dense. Regardless of which type of lithium-ion battery used in a car, you will find that it is the composition of choice for most manufacturers today.
But what about some of the other types of batteries found in EVs?
Nickel Metal Hybrid Batteries
Nickel metal Hybrid Batteries have been around since the late 1980s and have been the choice of battery for hybrid vehicles over the course of the last decade. They are chosen by hybrid car manufacturers because they are capable of retaining much more charge than lead-acid batteries. They’re also advantageous because they’re energy efficient and relatively safe from a fire safety standpoint. Lots of manufacturers use these types of batteries in their hybrid vehicles, including Toyota and Honda.
How do these types of car batteries perform?
EV battery technology is improving all the time and we’re not far away from seeing cars with excellent ranges between charging. Right now, the capacity of electric cars ranges from 40 – 200 kWh. The Tesla Model S is one of the best-performing vehicles on the UK market right now with a 100 kWh battery and it’s capable of 300 miles between charges. As EV battery technology improves, we’re likely to see significantly more distance between charges, which is good news for all concerned!
How long do EV batteries last?
Although there are some exceptions to this rule, it’s widely agreed that EV car batteries will last approximately 200,000 miles before they need to be replaced. But what happens to EV car batteries that are no longer being used? Well, that’s a good question! Some manufacturers recycle used car batteries, but doing so is expensive and it’s not something that is widely practised right now. Utilising second-life EV batteries is something that we’re looking into, alongside other battery companies, given the sheer number of second-hand batteries the UK will have to deal with in the coming decades.
Recap
So, the main type of battery used in EV cars in the UK is lithium-ion, but there are several different types of li-on technologies trusted by various manufacturers. Nickel Metal Hybrid batteries are commonly used in hybrid vehicles, given their high-performance levels. And while lithium-ion batteries are likely to last 200,000 miles or so, we will soon come to a time when we all need to do more with second-life lithium batteries, particularly those from the EV industry.
If you have any questions about EV car batteries or would like to speak to one of our experts about our battery technology, give our Telford or Solihull office a call today.
