How Long Do Lithium (Li-Ion) Batteries Last?
Understanding the lifespan of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries is crucial for making the most out of your electronic devices. These batteries, from smartphones to solar power storage, power numerous aspects of our daily lives. But how long can you expect them to last?
The longevity of Li-ion batteries is primarily determined by the number of charging cycles they undergo, the conditions under which you use them, and how they’re maintained.
In this article, we will explore these factors, offering insights into the expected lifespan of Li-ion batteries and how to make them last longer.
What’s the Expected Lifespan of Lithium-Ion Batteries?
A charging cycle refers to the process of fully charging a battery from 0% to 100% and then discharging it back to 0%. So, a ¼ cycle occurs when a battery is discharged to 75% before being fully charged again.
Most Li-ion batteries have an expected lifespan of around 500 cycles. LiFePO4 batteries have higher expected lifespans and can undergo thousands of cycles before the capacity is heavily affected.
For example, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max is rated for 3,000 cycles before storage capacity diminishes to 80%. Keep in mind the portable power station will still function as normal. It will just require recharging after a 20% shorter length of time.
How Charging Cycles Affect Lithium-Ion Battery Capacity
Charging cycles have a significant impact on the capacity of a lithium-ion battery. As mentioned above, a charging cycle refers to a battery’s full charge and discharge.
Every time a lithium-ion battery goes through a charge cycle, its capacity (the total amount of power it can hold) slightly decreases. That decrease is a normal part of the battery’s lifespan, resulting from physical and chemical changes that occur within the battery during the charge and discharge process.
Lithium-ion batteries — like those found in smartphones, solar power systems, and electric vehicles — have a finite number of charging cycles before they’re considered to be at the end of their useful life. This can occur anywhere between 2,000 and 10,000 full charge cycles in the case of a lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery.
However, a battery doesn’t suddenly become useless once it reaches the end of its rated cycle life. Instead, its capacity will be lower. For example, after 3,000 full cycles, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro will still have a capacity of at least 80%.