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Lithium batteries 101: What to know and how to service them

Feb. 6, 2025
With varying types of lithium-ion batteries proliferating for commercial applications, it's important to note differences in service as overcharging and ruining batteries may be more common than you think.

What kinds of lithium batteries are available?

The increasing variety of lithium-ion battery types can be a bit problematic when it comes to service since all lithium batteries don’t have the same voltage and require different charging energy. To make matters worse, lithium batteries are very sensitive to over-voltage conditions, which can often result in bad outcomes.

Different lithium battery types are referred to as different lithium chemistries, which include nickel manganese cobalt (NCM), lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium-sulfur (Li-S), LiFePO4/LFP, and many others. Along with the different chemistries, there are different configurations in terms of cell structure, leading to a common warning, “All lithium batteries are not created equal.

It is critical to make sure that any charger you are using to charge any lithium battery is properly mated to the specific lithium battery that you are servicing, as all lithium batteries are sensitive to voltage and can be dangerous if exposed to excessive voltage. So, check before you service your lithium battery–know the type of battery it is and that your equipment is compatible with it.

The LiFePO4 battery

LiFePO4 batteries are a type of lithium-ion battery known for their stability as compared to other lithium battery types, including other lithium-ion batteries. This stability means that they can be used in a wide variety of applications with a high degree of relative safety.

Here are some additional features:

  • Longer cycle life than other lithium battery types and lead acid batteries
  • Don't contain heavy metals, such as cobalt, which reduces their toxicity levels
  • Lower energy density than other lithium chemistries

For now, they offer the best combination of safety and performance from an OE perspective, as evidenced by their overwhelming dominance in vehicle and transportation applications.

These batteries are used in a variety of passenger vehicle applications, like the BMW M-Series and Tesla Model S and X, thanks to their light weight and long cycle life. When it comes to commercial vehicles, they are most often found in APU applications, like the Dragonfly Energy Battle Born All-Electric Auxiliary Power Unit.

Read more: Dragonfly adds battery monitoring, alerts to Battle Born APU batteries

About the Author

Jim O' Hara | Clore Automotive

Jim O'Hara has over 15 years experience in the Tool and Equipment industry, including 10+ years at Clore Automotive. At Clore, he heads up the marketing team and is directly involved in the development of new products and enhancements of existing products. 

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