Fundamentals and Applications of Lithium-ion Batteries in Electric Drive Vehicles

Preface

The power battery is the main power source for electric vehicles; its performance has vital influence on the safety, efficiency and economy of electric vehicle operations. Currently power batteries for electric vehicles mainly include lead-acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries. For a long time, the lead-acid battery was widely used because of its mature technology, stable performance and low price. However, its disadvantages of low energy density, long charging time, short life, and lead contamination limit its usefulness in electric vehicles. The nickel cadmium battery has been used for its large charge-discharge rate; however, its disadvantages of memory effect and heavy metal contamination cannot be solved. Nickel-metal hydride batteries have been widely applied in hybrid cars for their large charge-discharge rate and they are environmentally friendly. However, their single cell voltage is low and they should not be connected in parallel, restricting their application in electric vehicles. The lithium-ion batteries are widely accepted because of their high voltage platform, high energy density, good cycle performance, and low self-discharge, and are regarded as a good choice for the new generation of power batteries. The lithium-ion battery cathode material can be lithium cobalt oxide, manganese oxide, lithium iron phosphate, nickel manganese cobalt oxide, lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide, and so on.

Currently, one of the key factors ...