Today, lithium-ion is one of the most successful and safe battery chemistries available.
Phosphate-based batteries offer superior chemical and mechanical structure that does not overheat to unsafe levels. Thus, providing an increase in safety over lithium-ion batteries made with other cathode materials.
lead acid batteries: who wins? In most cases, lithium-ion battery technology is superior to lead-acid due to its reliability and efficiency, among other attributes. However, in cases of small off-grid storage systems that aren't used regularly, less expensive lead-acid battery options can be preferable.
Safety & Environmental Impact
Lithium batteries are generally considered to be safer than AGM batteries. But again, AGM batteries are a big improvement over flooded lead-acid. That's because AGM batteries are sealed, so little to no off-gassing occurs.
All batteries can be hazardous and can pose a safety risk. However, lithium-ion batteries are considered more volatile than traditional batteries due to their chemical makeup. There are certain factors that can increase the risk of a lithium-ion battery setting fire or exploding.
Compared to lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries are more efficient, packing more power with the same size battery. As a result, EV batteries could become more compact, charge faster and weigh less, which could increase range.
Excessive heat — for example from using a faulty charger and overcharging the battery, or due to a short circuit — can damage the battery cell internally and cause it to fail. The major issue with lithium-ion batteries overheating is a phenomenon known as thermal runaway.
While both AGM and lithium batteries have very low maintenance, lithium edges ahead just a bit. AGM does not require routine watering like flooded lead acid batteries but they are still susceptible to undercharging and overcharging which can lead to a dangerous buildup of hydrogen sulfide gas.
Cons for AGM Batteries
Manufacturing costs are higher, making the batteries more expensive. They are sensitive to overcharging and high voltages, and require full charging between uses, which can make them un-suitable for some applications where returning them to a full charge is difficult.
Lithium batteries can generally discharge between 90 and 95% whereas AGM batteries can typically handle up to 50%. This means that lithium batteries can run power longer with each single charge than their AGM alternatives. And it also means that they are less exposed to the damage that comes with exceeding the DoD.
The problem with lithium batteries
All lithium-ion batteries use flammable materials, and incidents such as the one in the Bronx are likely the result of “thermal runaway,” a chain reaction which can lead to a fire or catastrophic explosion, according to Khoo.
Safety: LiFePO4 is more chemically stable, and it is incombustible, which means that it is not prone to thermal runaway (and remains cool at room temperature). It can also withstand high temperatures without decomposing, and it is not flammable.
LiFePO4 batteries are safer than Li-ion due to the strong covalent bonds between the iron, phosphorus, and oxygen atoms in the cathode. The bonds make them more stable and less prone to thermal runaway and overheating, issues that have led to lithium-ion batteries having a reputation for a higher risk of battery fires.
Alkaline manganese dioxide batteries, commonly known as alkaline batteries, are good all-around batteries for everyday electronic devices and last longer than some other types.
AGM batteries such as Odyssey Performance and Extreme Series batteries not only feature an overall service life of 3-10 years, but they also feature a storage life of two years before requiring a recharge. For a traditional battery, storage life is only as much as 6-12 weeks.
AGM batteries have the ability to deliver high currents while maintaining low internal resistance, which is invaluable for racers. AGM batteries offer quadruple the speed of flooded batteries while maintaining excellent electrical reliability.
You should upgrade to an AGM battery for many reasons. First, AGM batteries charge almost five times faster than other batteries. In addition, AGM batteries handle changing weather conditions better — including extremely cold temperatures.
Even if you replaced a 105AH AGM with a 100AH Lithium, you would save 16KG of weight, and get double the useable capacity. If you replaced a 165AH AGM with a 100AH Lithium, you'd save 40KG of weight, and still gain almost 20% in usable capacity.
100Ah of lithium is rated at 12.8V and therefore 1280Wh compared to 100Ah of AGM which is rated at 12V and therefore 1200Wh. It makes more sense to speak in Wh or kWh than Ah, but Ah at 12/12.8V is the predominant term in the automotive industry.
While there are a relative handful of vehicles (for now) that use lithium-based battery products, the vast majority of the vehicles on the road today use either flooded or AGM lead-acid car batteries.
Lithium toxicity signs are obvious and can be identified and managed easily; however, ignoring it can be fatal. Indeed, in some cases, lithium toxicity can lead to coma, brain damage, or even death. Moreover, lithium can induce serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal and life-threatening condition[31].
As the cycle time gets longer, self-discharge comes into play and CE drops (gets worse). Electrolyte oxidation at the cathode, in part, causes this self-discharge. Li-ion loses about 2 percent per month at 0ºC (32ºF) with a state-of-charge of 50 percent and up to 35 percent at 60ºC (140ºF) when fully charged.