Battery ‘life’ refers to three characteristics: performance, longevity, and capacity. Let’s explain the semantics of these words a bit further: Performance life is the run time of a battery on full charge. Longevity refers to the number of charge cycles a battery can take before it no longer charges.
The number of cycles a battery can endure before its capacity significantly diminishes is known as its cycle life. This concept is essential for users to grasp, as it determines the overall lifespan and usage capacity of their batteries.
The cycle life of a lithium-ion battery refers to the number of charge and discharge cycles it can undergo before its capacity declines to a specified percentage of its original capacity, often set at 80%.
Based on accelerated testing and real-world results, battery lifespan is typically 8 to 15 years, after which 20 to 30% of the original capacity is lost. The rate of capacity loss is influenced by factors like cycling frequency, temperature, and depth of discharge (DOD).
This date is a useful reference point for estimating the battery’s shelf life, which is usually specified by the manufacturer. Shelf life can range from a few years to more than a decade, depending on the battery type and storage conditions. How Can Lithium Battery Shelf Life Be Extended?
During a battery cycle, the battery gradually loses its capacity to hold a charge as it goes through repeated discharge and recharge cycles. The number of cycles a battery can endure before its capacity significantly diminishes is known as its cycle life.