Unlike Li-S batteries and Li-O 2 batteries, currently commercialized lithium-ion batteries have been applied in the production of practical electric vehicles, simultaneously meeting comprehensive electrochemical performances in energy density, lifetime, safety, power density, rate properties, and cost requirements.
The theoretical specific energy of Li-S batteries and Li-O 2 batteries are 2567 and 3505 Wh kg −1, which indicates that they leap forward in that ranging from Li-ion batteries to lithium–sulfur batteries and lithium–air batteries.
The energy density of the traditional lithium-ion battery technology is now close to the bottleneck, and there is limited room for further optimization. Now scientists are working on designing new types of batteries with high energy storage and long life span. In the automotive industry, the battery ultimately determines the life of vehicles.
To find promising alternatives to lithium batteries, it helps to consider what has made the lithium battery so popular in the first place. Some of the factors that make a good battery are lifespan, power, energy density, safety and affordability.
It is concluded that the room for further enhancement of the energy density of lithium-ion batteries is very limited merely on the basis of the current cathode and anode materials. Therefore, an integrated battery system may be a promising future for the power battery system to handle the mileage anxiety and fast charging problem.
Emerging technologies such as solid-state batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, and flow batteries hold potential for greater storage capacities than lithium-ion batteries. Recent developments in battery energy density and cost reductions have made EVs more practical and accessible to consumers.