Electric vehicle battery

Nissan Leaf cutaway showing part of the battery in 2009

An electric vehicle battery (EVB, also known as a traction battery) is a rechargeable battery used to power the electric motors of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

Electric vehicle batteries differ from starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI) batteries, as they are typically lithium-ion batteries that are designed for high power-to-weight ratio and energy density. Smaller, lighter batteries are desirable because they reduce the weight of the vehicle and therefore improve its performance. Compared to liquid fuels, most current battery technologies have much lower specific energy, and this often impacts the maximum range of all-electric vehicles. Unlike earlier battery chemistries, notably nickel–cadmium, lithium-ion batteries can be discharged and recharged daily and at any state of charge. Other types of rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles include lead–acid, nickel–cadmium, nickel–metal hydride, and others.[1]

The battery makes up a significant portion of the cost and environmental impact of an electric vehicle. Growth in the industry has generated interest in securing ethical battery supply chains, which presents many challenges and has become an important geopolitical issue. As of December 2019, the cost of electric vehicle batteries has fallen 87% since 2010 on a per kilowatt-hour basis.[2] As of 2018, vehicles with over 250 mi (400 km) of all-electric range, such as the Tesla Model S, are available.[3]

The price of electricity to run an electric vehicle is a small fraction of the cost of fuel for equivalent internal combustion engines, reflecting higher energy efficiency.

  1. ^ "Axeon Receives Order for 50 Zebra Packs for Modec Electric Vehicle; Li-Ion Under Testing". Green Car Congress. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Battery prices are falling, which is good news for EVs". Marketplace. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  3. ^ "EV Database". EV Database. Retrieved 25 April 2020.