Lithium-ion batteries have higher voltage than other types of batteries, meaning they can store more energy and discharge more power for high-energy uses like driving a car at high speeds or providing emergency backup power. Charging and recharging a battery wears it out, but lithium-ion batteries are also long-lasting.
While both lithium-ion and lithium batteries share the common element of lithium, there are significant differences in their composition and performance characteristics. Lithium-ion batteries, also known as Li-ion batteries, are rechargeable and widely used in everyday electronics such as smartphones, laptops, and digital cameras.
These batteries are known for their high energy density and long cycle life, meaning they can be recharged and discharged many times before their performance starts to decline . On the other hand, lithium batteries, sometimes referred to as primary lithium batteries, are non-rechargeable and have a more limited life expectancy.
They are commonly used in devices that require a long shelf life, such as smoke detectors and calculators. Lithium batteries offer a higher initial voltage and better performance in extreme temperatures compared to lithium-ion batteries, but once they are depleted, they cannot be recharged.
Lithium batteries are more popular today than ever before. You’ll find them in your cell phone, laptop computer, cordless power tools, and even electric vehicles. However, just because all of these electronics use lithium batteries doesn’t mean they use the same type of lithium batteries.
This means that lithium batteries can store even more energy in a smaller and lighter package. Their higher energy density makes them ideal for applications that demand high power output in a compact size, such as power tools and electric vehicles.