Now, industries are making a swift shift to replace their traditional lead-acid batteries with lithium batteries. This is especially the case in the case of EVs and Industrial equipments, as reliability, safety and sustainability become more critical factors. Amidst a growing demand for clean, efficient and reliable sources of power, Lithium Batteries are becoming the preferred option.

So, let’s start by looking at the fundamental differences between the two.

“Lead-acid batteries” have been the dominant technology for decades. Low-cost and easily available is the only plus side of this conventional battery. It has many negatives, which include:

• Weight – Heavy in weight.
• Life cycle – Less cycle life
• Charging – Slower charging
• Safety – Involves leakage, toxic fumes etc.

While “Lithium batteries”, specifically lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) have come along to provide an improved alternative. Lighter, faster charging, longer life and safer – these batteries have great benefits which are encouraging its adoption in the case of EVs, forklifts, solar power systems and so on.

1. Longer life and better return on investment: LiFePO₄ based batteries have longer life of 2000 – 4000+ cycles vs 500 – 1000 cycles for Lead-acid. This results in lesser replacements and lower downtime. Therefore, it gives you a much better return on investment in terms of the total battery life cycle. In case of companies with EVs or equipment fleets, it leads to cost savings and higher operational efficiency.
2. Safer: Safety is a critical concern for any battery user. While lead-acid batteries are prone to leakage, toxic fumes and a risk of fire, Lithium batteries (especially LiFePO₄ based) are free of toxins, stable at high temperature and are much less prone to fire and leakage. This makes Lithium batteries a safer option in case of industrial equipment and EVs.
3. Fast charging and higher efficiency: Time is money for any industrial or transportation company. Lithium batteries support faster charging protocols which results in reduced downtime and improved productivity. Its higher energy efficiency and the ability to provide deep discharge (upto 95%) makes it provide more power per charge. This further adds to its return on investment.
4. No maintenance: There is no need for any water topping or terminal cleaning in Lithium batteries. Lithium batteries are maintenance free. Plug and play Shizen Energy battery packs with integrated battery management system (BMS) with smart monitoring add to the ease of use.
5. Customisation and flexibility: One size doesn’t fit all. Shizen Energy has designed its mechanical options to fit any dimensions or volume constraints to make it easy to integrate it with different vehicles and equipments. Customisable BMS options (CAN/RS485/UART) are available to make it compatible with a wide range of inverters and control systems.

• Less battery life and frequent replacements
• Slow charging time
• Heavy weight and bulky size
• Regular maintenance
• Safety concerns (leakage, toxic fumes, fire)
• Less efficient and lower return on investment

With so many downsides, it is clear why lead-acid batteries are falling out of favour in case of the advanced applications like EVs and industrial equipments.

• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Today’s electric rickshaws, e-scooters and e-bikes have evolved into sophisticated electric vehicles that can power daily urban commutes or commercial fleets. These vehicles require batteries that are light, fast-charging and long lasting.
• Material Handling Equipment: Forklifts, stackers and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in warehouses and factories are an integral part of material handling equipment. They require fast charging and long cycle life. This means reduced downtime and lesser maintenance cost.
• Solar power and Energy Storage Systems: Solar inverters and energy storage systems require batteries with deep discharge capability and high efficiency. Lithium batteries with LiFePO₄ chemistry offer these features and can deliver the same performance over thousands of cycles. Lithium batteries have emerged as the most preferred choice for residential and industrial energy storage.

As the EV market and industrial automation markets grow, this is no longer a question of if, but when should the switch be made. Long lasting, safe, higher ROI and low maintenance are just some of the many benefits of lithium batteries. As more and more people adopt EVs and automate their industrial equipment, Lithium batteries are poised to take over the battery market.

Lead-acid batteries are being replaced by lithium batteries in case of electric vehicles and industrial equipment. With superior performance, safety and sustainability, Lithium batteries are here to stay. Whether you have an electric vehicle or industrial equipment, now is the time to make the switch. Reach out to us to learn about the advantages of Lithium technology.

If you want to power your future with Lithium battery technology, get in touch with us to understand how Shizen Energy can help you make the switch.

*Reach out to us to get a consultation about your battery needs and requirements*