ENG201: Lead-Acid vs. Lithium Batteries Comparison Report - Semester 2

This report provides a comparative analysis of lead-acid and lithium batteries, contrasting their safety, life cycle, and environmental impacts. The report begins with a brief overview of the lead-acid battery's historical significance and the emergence of lithium batteries. It then delves into a detailed comparison, examining the flammability risks associated with both types, with a particular focus on lithium batteries due to their higher energy density. The life cycle analysis highlights lithium batteries' superior longevity, lasting up to nine times longer than lead-acid batteries. Furthermore, the report addresses the environmental effects, noting the lead-acid battery's larger material requirements and associated environmental impact compared to lithium batteries. The report also discusses the discharge trends and efficiency of both battery types. The lithium battery shows a more uniform discharge pattern, and a higher efficiency, charging in a shorter time and storing more power, while lead-acid batteries charge for a longer time and store less power. The report concludes with a list of relevant references.

Running head: LITHIUM BATTERIES VS LEAD BATTERIES 1
LEAD (CONVENTIONAL BATTERY VS. LITHIUM (TESLA) BATTERIES
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LITHIUM VS. LEAD BATTERIES
LEAD (CONVENTIONAL BATTERY VS. LITHIUM (TESLA) BATTERIES
The lead acid battery is one of the oldest batteries invented in in France in 1859 by the French
physicist by the names of Gaston Plante. According to the reports, the lead battery has been one of the
most highly used batteries more especially in automobiles. Compared to the latest technological invention
of lithium/ tesla batteries, it has low energy storage to volume ration and low energy to weight ratio.
Furthermore, the lead battery is far much cheaper as compared to the new lithium battery
technology.
The lithium battery technology is one of the latest and most efficient batteries in the market. It is
however very expensive as compared to the initial lead batteries.
Comparison of lead and lithium batteries
Safety; critically analyzing the level of risks and uncertainties, both lithium batteries and the lead
acid batteries are capable of engaging “thermal runaway” of being flammable. However, the degree/
likelihood of flammability is high in lithium batteries. This is because the high level of energy contained
within the small volume.
The life cycle analysis; according to the reports made by the latest research, it has been found
that the lithium batteries are up to 9 times long lasting as compared to the lead acid battery. The lead
bateery can be re-charged up to over 1000 times which is not the case where the lead battery may not
make up to 500 recharge.
The environmental effect; as compared to the lithium battery, the lead acid battery is not
friendly. This is because, to attain an equal energy storage capacity, more raw materials are required. This
implies that a more adverse effect on the environment

Running head: LITHIUM BATTERIES VS LEAD BATTERIES 3
Furthermore, the discharge trend of electrolytes in a lithium battery is constant uniform while in
the lithium battery, there is a drop in the voltage level as the electrolytes are discharged.
In terms of efficiency, the lithium battery has a significant efficiency level as it charges for a
shorter time and can store more power as compared to the lithium battery which charges for a longer time
and stores little power.

Running head: LITHIUM BATTERIES VS LEAD BATTERIES 4
References
Anuphappharadorn, S., Sukchai, S., Sirisamphanwong, C., & Ketjoy, N. (2014). Comparison the
economic analysis of the battery between lithium-ion and lead-acid in PV stand-alone application. Energy
Procedia, 56, 352-358.
Wang, K., Jiang, K., Chung, B., Ouchi, T., Burke, P. J., Boysen, D. A., ... & Sadoway, D. R.
(2014). Lithium–antimony–lead liquid metal battery for grid-level energy storage. Nature, 514(7522),
348.
Aurbach, D., McCloskey, B. D., Nazar, L. F., & Bruce, P. G. (2016). Advances in understanding
mechanisms underpinning lithium–air batteries. Nature Energy, 1(9), 16128.
Manthiram, A., Fu, Y., Chung, S. H., Zu, C., & Su, Y. S. (2014). Rechargeable lithium–sulfur
batteries. Chemical reviews, 114(23), 11751-11787.
Sun, Y., Liu, N., & Cui, Y. (2016). Promises and challenges of nanomaterials for lithium-based
rechargeable batteries. Nature Energy, 1(7), 16071.
Diouf, B., & Pode, R. (2015). Potential of lithium-ion batteries in renewable energy. Renewable
Energy, 76, 375-380.