What battery is better than LiFePO4?
LiFePO4 VS Lithium-Ion Batteries: Which One Is Right for You
Lithium-ion and LiFePO4 batteries are two popular battery types used in solar generators and power stations. While lithium-ion batteries have been commonly used in off-grid solar power systems for years, LiFePO4 batteries have recently gained popularity.
Li-ion and LiFePO4 batteries have significant advantages, making them ideal for backup power stations. In this guide, we'll walk you through the LiFePO4 vs. lithium-ion comparison in detail, so you can understand which battery backup suits your needs.
Jackery manufactures a wide range of solar generators, ranging from a lithium-ion battery of 293Wh to 3024Wh capacity. The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station features a LiFePO4 battery that can be expanded from 2kWh to 24kWh using the Battery Pack 2000 Plus.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station
- Expandable battery capacity from 2kWh to 24kWh.
- Long LiFePO4 battery life of up to 4000 charge cycles.
- Powers heavy-duty electrical devices up to 6000W
- Efficiently charges up to 99% of home or outdoor appliances.
- Works silently with less than 30dB of noise.
What Is A LiFePO4 Battery?
LiFePO4 (or lithium iron phosphate) batteries are a subtype of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that utilize unique chemistry to provide advantages over lithium technologies.
The cathode of LFPs is made from lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), whereas the anode is typically made from carbon. Since LiFePO4 does not contain cobalt, they are a more eco-friendly choice.
Pros
- LiFePO4 is a safe and stable rechargeable battery due to lithium iron phosphate's high thermal and structural stability.
- They have a longer lifespan, making these batteries cost-effective in the long run.
- They do not contain any hazardous materials, making them more eco-friendly.
Cons
- LiFePO4 batteries have a low nominal voltage that reduces energy.
- They have a higher price compared to other batteries.
LiFePO4 Summary Table
Voltage
Nominal voltage: 3.20 to 3.30V
Typical operating range: 2.5 to 3.65V per cell
Specific Energy (or Capacity)
90 to 120 Wh/Kg
Charge (C-rate)
1C typical charges to 3.65V
Typical charge time: 3 hours
Discharge (C-rate)
1C, 25C on some cells, 40A pulse (2s)
Cut-off (lower than 2V causes damage): 2.50V
Cycle life
2000 and higher
Thermal runaway
270°C (518°F)
Highly safe battery even when charged fully
Applications
Electric vehicles, solar generators, portable power stations, etc.
What Is A Lithium-Ion Battery?
Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in power stations and sensitive electronic devices like laptops, cameras, and mobile phones. They have high energy storage capabilities and comparatively lower self-discharge rates.
These batteries also include three essential components: an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. What differentiates lithium-ion from LiFePO4 is the cathode made of lithium metal oxides.
Pros
- Li-ion batteries have a longer lifespan than typical lead-acid batteries.
- The Li batteries can store large amounts of energy in relatively less space.
Cons
- Lithium-ion batteries without BMS (Battery Management System) may catch fire.
- They are more costly compared to other types of batteries.
Lithium-Ion Battery Summary Table
Voltage
Nominal voltage: 3.60 to 3.70V
Typical operating range: 3.0 to 4.2V per cell
Specific Energy (or Capacity)
150 to 220 Wh/Kg
Charge (C-rate)
0.7-1C typical charges to 4.20V or 4.30V
Typical charge time: 3 hours
Discharge (C-rate)
1C, 2C on some cells
Cut-off (lower than 2V causes damage): 2.50V
Cycle life
1000 to 2000 and higher
Thermal runaway
210°C (410°F)
High charge to promote thermal runaway
Applications
Electric vehicles, solar generators, e-bikes, portable power stations, etc.
LiFePO4 Vs. Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion and LiFePO4 batteries are widely used in solar generators and power stations. While both are safe and secure battery types, some differences set them apart. Let's compare lithium-ion vs. LiFePO4 below.
LiFePO4 Battery
Lithium-Ion Battery
Chemistry
Lithium, iron, and phosphate
Metallic lithium and cathode materials, such as nickel, manganese, and cobalt
Energy Level (Density)
Lower
Higher
Safety
Highly Safe
Highly Safe
Charging & Discharging
The self-discharge rate is around 3% per month
The self-discharge rate is about 5% per month
Lifespan
2000-6000 life cycles
800-1000 life cycles
Temperature
-4°F (-20°C) to 140°F (60°C)
32°F (or 0°C) to 113°F (or 45°C)
Voltage
Lower voltage
Higher voltage
Weight
Heavier
Lighter
Warranty
Depends on brand
Depends on brand
Applications
Solar batteries, electric vehicles, recreational vehicles, and more.
Phones, battery backups, and other small rechargeable devices.
Let's dig deeper into each parameter and compare LiFePO4 vs lithium-ion.
Chemistry
LiFePO4 batteries consist of lithium, iron, and phosphate ions, making them relatively safer, more stable, and lighter than conventional ones. In contrast, Li-ion batteries contain metallic lithium and composite cathode materials like nickel, cobalt, or manganese.
Energy Level (Density)
Lithium-ion batteries generally have higher energy density than LiFePO4. That means Li-ion batteries can store more power and have long-lasting battery life. On the contrary, LiFePO4 is also suitable for backup power with high safety and extended life.
Safety
LiFePO4 is less prone to exploding and overheating, making them highly safe. By contrast, lithium-ion batteries without BMS or protective algorithms can catch fire or overheat when not used properly. However, lithium-ion batteries with battery system management are highly safe for solar power systems.
Charging & Discharging
The state of charge of a lithium-ion battery varies significantly depending on the voltage. In contrast, the SoC level of LiFePO4 is not easily distinguished by voltage level.
For this reason, it is easy to understand the accurate SoC of lithium-ion batteries, whereas calculating the SoC accuracy of lithium-iron phosphate batteries is challenging.
NCM
LFP
Charge-Discharge Rate
SOC Estimation
It is possible to accurately diagnose SoC.
It is challenging to diagnose the exact SoC by its voltage.
Accuracy in SOC Diagnosis
±1~2%
±10%
Upper Voltage Limit
4.2
3.6
Lifespan
Both Li-ion and LiFePO4 batteries are known for their long lifespan. Generally, the lifespan of NMC lithium-ion batteries is 800-1000 times, whereas LiFePO4 battery cycle life is over 6000 times.
Temperature
The operating temperature range of LiFePO4 battery backups is more comprehensive than Li-ions. Lithium-iron phosphate batteries can efficiently operate in cold and hot environments without power loss.
Voltage
The voltage directly impacts the design of battery packs and device voltage requirements. Typically, LiFePO4 batteries have a low nominal voltage of 3.2V per cell compared to Li-ion, with a nominal voltage of 3.6-3.7V per cell.
Lithium-ion Charge Capacity (%)
1 Cell
12 Volt
24 Volt
48 Volt
100
3.40
13.6
27.2
54.4
90
3.35
13.4
26.8
53.6
80
3.32
13.3
26.6
53.1
70
3.30
13.2
26.4
52.8
60
3.27
13.1
26.1
52.3
50
3.26
13.0
26.0
52.2
40
3.25
13.0
26.0
52.0
30
3.22
12.9
25.8
52.5
20
3.20
12.8
25.6
51.2
10
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