In comparison to energy density and weight efficiency, the LifePO4 Batteries’ lithium iron phosphate cell is 160 Wh/kg, 4.6 times that of lead-acid batteries (35 Wh/kg). As an example, using a 100Ah/12V system, the LiFePO4 battery weighs only 13.5 kg, while that of lead-acid is 33 kg, with 58% volume saved. One motorhome user estimated that by replacing the LiFePO4, 0.5 cubic meters of room in the battery compartment were made available, the operating time of the air conditioner (1500W) was extended from 3 hours to 6.8 hours, and the rate of effective power utilization was enhanced by 127%. According to the US Department of Energy, LiFePO4 retains a capacity of 92% at -20°C, while that of the lead-acid battery reduces to 45%, and LiFePO4 equipment lasts three times longer than the lead-acid solution after they have undertaken the Arctic expedition.
In terms of cycle life and economy, LifePO4 Batteries have more than 4,000 cycles (DoD 80%), while lead-acid batteries have 500 cycles (DoD 50%). By the rate of 1 charge per day, the LiFePO4 lasts for 11 years and lead-acid battery is less than 1.5 years. After replacing the lead-acid battery with a telecommunication base station, the 10-year operation and maintenance fee was reduced from 180,000 to 42,000, and the return on investment (ROI) was 387%. Its charging and discharging efficiency is 98% (80-85% of lead acid), daily useful storing capacity of solar energy storage system increases to 1.8 kWh, and life cycle electricity cost (LCOE) becomes 0.07 which is 70% lower than the lead acid plan (0.23).
The thermal runaway initiation temperature of LifePO4 Batteries is up to 350°C (180°C for lead-acid batteries), and the risk of short circuit is only 0.002 times / 1000 hours (0.015 times for lead-acid batteries). The testing results of UL 1973 showed that the highest temperature of LiFePO4 during acupuncture test reached 72°C, and the explosion risk of lead-acid battery exists due to the risk of hydrogen evolution. In the 2023 California fires, the LifePO4-driven energy storage system operated uninterruptedly at 50°C with a 0% failure rate. Lead-acid battery pack failed at 23%. Its IP67 protection and liquid-free electrolyte design completely avoids the possibility of acid leakage of lead-acid batteries (0.8% annual leakage accident rate).
From the perspective of sustainability and environmental protection, LifePO4 Batteries enjoy a material recycling rate of over 97% (60% for lead-acid batteries only) and contain no heavy metal lead content (5-10 kg of lead per lead-acid battery). Carbon emissions of 1 GWh of LiFePO4 batteries, based on the EU Battery Directive, are 85 tons of CO₂ and up to 320 tons of lead acid batteries. Following replacement of 5,000 lead-acid batteries within a city’s public transport system, the risk of lead contamination was reduced by 18 tons per year, and heavy metal content in the ground was reduced by 64%. Its modular design allows capacity to be expanded, and clients can add units incrementally to avoid wastage via the replacement of the whole set of lead-acid batteries (the standard replacement wastage rate of 42%).
LifePO4 Batteries support 2C continuous discharge (only 0.2C for lead-acid batteries), and the peak power of an electric boat is increased to 150 kW (60 kW for lead-acid solutions), and the acceleration time is reduced by 37%. SOC estimation error is less than 1% (lead-acid battery ±15%), and the intelligent BMS system improves the efficient use rate of RV consumers from 68% to 95%. The TUV German test indicates the LiFePO4 80% DoD cycle life is 8 times longer than for the lead-acid battery and that capacity deterioration curve standard deviation (±2.1%) is greatly improved over that for the lead-acid battery (±8.7%) and with flat, long-term behavior.
At the economic level, the maintenance-free aspect of LifePO4 Batteries eliminates an annual maintenance cost of 120/ group (lead acid requires water and balanced charging). At the end of 10 years of service in an off-grid house, the total carrying cost was 6250/ group lower than the recycling and disposal cost of the lead acid plan). According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance statistics, the global market share of LiFePO4 will be 58% in 2025, ending the monopoly of lead-acid batteries in the energy storage market.