With the economic expansion and growth in urban cities, commuting has become a challenge. An electric scooter is ideal in this situation. They are light, compact, and are relatively safe, allowing you to get to your destination quickly. There are various parts to an electric scooter that support its functioning; however, a battery is one of the most important ones. For instance, a battery failure may lead an entire system to malfunction. This powerful energy source serves various functions in daily life, ranging from delivering the initial power required to start automobiles’ engines to acting as a backup source of electricity. Two of the most common battery chemistry types are lithium-ion and lead-acid, and we’re here to help you understand which one would be better suited for you!
As the name suggests, Lead-acid batteries are made with lead metal, whereas lithium-ion batteries are made with lithium metal. These differences in chemistry result in different performances and costs. While both lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries are viable storage options, here’s a comparison of which is better for electric scooters
- COST AND SIZE:
Lead-acid batteries are a popular, low-cost option that comes in various pack sizes. However, the cost-effectiveness of the battery type you are looking for will be determined by your application purpose. Lead-acid batteries are ideal for large-scale stationary applications with plenty of space and low energy demands. As a result, they’re primarily found in power plants and renewable energy storage systems such as inverters. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries have a much higher energy density, allowing them to deliver the same amount of power in a much smaller space. If you want to travel the same distance in your Electric Scooter with Lithium-ion and Lead-acid batteries, the former takes up eight times less space and weighs eight times less. As a result, lithium-ion batteries may be the best option for your electric vehicle in terms of cost and size! BGauss e-scooters are powered by high quality rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries that come with a 3 year warranty making it very cost effective.
- ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE:
Lithium-ion batteries are better for the environment since they contain little to no toxic materials. On the other hand, lead-acid batteries are made of lead, a heavier metal and an environmentally hazardous substance, containing harmful chemicals, such as sulphuric acid. Although, they are comparatively less expensive than lithium-ion batteries due to their widespread availability and higher recyclability rate. Comparatively, Lithium-ion batteries contain landfill-safe materials and are environmentally friendly. They have an increased lifespan of 2-3 times longer than lead-acid batteries, making it possible to argue that lithium-ion batteries are “greener”.
Lithium-ion batteries use less energy to maintain their charge than lead-acid batteries and have a 90% efficient charge cycle as compared to 80-85% efficiency for a lead-acid battery. A full charge of a 1-2 kw lithium-ion battery pack takes less than 2-3 hours, thanks to fast charging technology that cuts the time between the two. On the other hand, lead-acid batteries take up to 10 hours to completely charge and are less efficient due to their low specific energy, poor cold-temperature performance, and short calendar and cycle life. They also self-discharge at a faster rate than Lithium-ion batteries. BGauss B8’s Lithium-ion battery model takes only 3 hours to charge completely, enough for an entire day of commuting.
Lithium-ion batteries have a higher lifespan if used properly and have a life cycle of around 5-8 years or 2,000 charging cycles at the very least. They can last up to 3,000 cycles if used properly and with care. Lead-acid batteries, on the other hand, have a life cycle of about 1000 cycles when used properly. Extreme heat and other environmental factors can drastically shorten the life of a lead-acid battery.
Overall, lithium-ion batteries should be used in your electric bike because they have a higher energy density and can fit into the limited space of your scooter. Automobile brands using lithium battery-based EVs are now the best option for contributing to a greener future. Moreover, in contrast to lead-acid batteries, which are most commonly used in mobility scooters, Lithium-ion batteries require less frequent replacement and lesser maintenance costs. With it’s cost-effectiveness, higher performance, and reliability, we believe Lithium-ion batteries are the future. BGauss provides you with high performance electric scooters, powered by a portable Lithium-ion battery that you can charge at any place with a regular 3A socket. Moreover BGauss is powered by an IP67 battery too, making it dust-proof and water-proof. Happy riding!