What is the cycle lifespan and actual service life of a LiFePO4 battery pack?

What is a LiFePO4 Battery?
A LiFePO4 battery is a type of lithium-ion battery that uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) for its positive electrode material. This battery is renowned for its high safety and stability, resistance to high temperatures, and excellent cycle performance.

What is the lifespan of a LiFePO4 battery pack?
Lead-acid batteries typically have a cycle life of around 300 cycles, with a maximum of 500 cycles. In contrast, LiFePO4 power batteries have a cycle life that exceeds 2000 cycles. Lead-acid batteries generally last around 1 to 1.5 years, described as “new for half a year, old for half a year, and maintenance for another half year.” Under the same conditions, a LiFePO4 battery pack has a theoretical lifespan of 7 to 8 years.

LiFePO4 battery packs usually last around 8 years; however, in warmer climates, their lifespan can extend beyond 8 years. The theoretical life of a LiFePO4 battery pack exceeds 2,000 charge-discharge cycles, meaning that even with daily charging, it can last over five years. For typical household use, with charging occurring every three days, it can last around eight years. Due to poor low-temperature performance, LiFePO4 batteries tend to have a longer lifespan in warmer regions.

The service life of a LiFePO4 battery pack can reach about 5,000 cycles, but it is essential to note that each battery has a specified number of charge and discharge cycles (e.g., 1,000 cycles). If this number is exceeded, the battery’s performance will decline. Complete discharge significantly impacts the battery’s lifespan, so it is crucial to avoid over-discharging.

Advantages of LiFePO4 Battery Packs Compared to Lead-Acid Batteries:
High Capacity: LiFePO4 cells can range from 5Ah to 1000Ah (1Ah = 1000mAh), whereas lead-acid batteries typically range from 100Ah to 150Ah per 2V cell, with limited variability.

Light Weight: A LiFePO4 battery pack of the same capacity is about two-thirds the volume and one-third the weight of a lead-acid battery.

Strong Fast Charging Capability: The starting current of a LiFePO4 battery pack can reach 2C, enabling high-rate charging. In contrast, lead-acid batteries generally require a current between 0.1C and 0.2C, making fast charging difficult.

Environmental Protection: Lead-acid batteries contain significant amounts of lead, which produces hazardous waste. LiFePO4 battery packs, on the other hand, are free from heavy metals and do not cause pollution during production and use.

Cost-Effective: While lead-acid batteries are initially cheaper due to their material costs, LiFePO4 batteries prove to be more economical in the long run, considering their longer service life and lower maintenance requirements. Practical applications show that the cost-effectiveness of LiFePO4 batteries is more than four times that of lead-acid batteries.


Post time: Jul-19-2024