Types of EV Batteries

As automakers transition toward sustainable transportation and fully electric vehicles (EVs), the technology of the batteries that power these cars is rapidly advancing. Many auto brands aim to phase out vehicles that use internal combustion engines and replace them with EVs by a specific date.

EV batteries are complex, and designing, building, and converting them into functioning power sources for EVs requires advanced. To help you embrace the auto industry's all-electric future, our team at Mercedes-Benz of Temecula, California, compiled this guide to the common EV batteries and how they work.

What Is an EV?

An EV is a car, truck, or SUV without an internal combustion engine that relies on battery packs to store energy and has one or more electric motors to propel the vehicle. You need to recharge EVs via electricity at home or public charging stations nationwide.

Most EVs have driving ranges between 80 and 300 miles, but this varies depending on the vehicle's make, model, trim, and the type and size of its battery pack. When considering driving an EV, you must consider how many miles you drive daily, how often you need to recharge your vehicle, and the driving and weather conditions.

The best way to determine which battery type suits your lifestyle and driving needs is to contact our professional team at Mercedes-Benz of Temecula. We can help you navigate the amazing world of EVs and their batteries to find one that works for you.

What's the Difference Between an EV, Hybrid, and Plug-In Hybrid?

An EV is all-electric with no internal combustion engine. They need an external source of electricity to recharge them.

Hybrid vehicles use a gas engine, one or two electric motors, and a battery pack. They recharge the battery via regenerative braking and don't need an external power source. Hybrids have short all-electric driving ranges and are ideal for driving around town or short commutes. After you drive around 20 miles, the internal combustion engine powers the vehicle.

Plug-in hybrids also use an internal combustion engine with electric motors and a battery pack. They usually have larger battery packs that allow longer driving ranges before the internal combustion engine kicks in, and they require an external power source to recharge the battery.

You can get an at-home charging system or utilize the growing network of public charging stations. Talk with our team at Mercedes-Benz of Temecula about how to get an app on your mobile device that locates charging stations, including DC fast chargers available exclusively for rapid charging.

What Are the Different Types of EV Batteries?

Most EVs use lithium-ion batteries that contain various metals, including cobalt, graphite, nickel, and aluminum. However, there are several different battery types, and the one you use will depend on the make and model of your EV.

Lead-Acid Battery

Automakers currently use lead-acid batteries in vehicles that require an internal combustion engine to start the car, and you won't commonly find them in modern EVs. However, if you have an older model EV, it may have a lead-acid battery. These batteries are bulky for EVs and take up valuable room that you could otherwise use for passenger or cargo space.

Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery

While durable, nickel-metal hydride batteries are bulky and expensive. Some older EVs still have this type of battery rather than a traditional lithium-ion one. These batteries discharge power rapidly and are commonly found in hybrids or plug-in hybrids.

Lithium-Ion Battery

Lithium-ion batteries are currently the king of rechargeable EV batteries. They have a low discharge rate, are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and are more resistant to overheating than other battery types. EVs with the longest driving ranges use lithium-ion batteries for power storage.

Lithium-ion batteries have negatively charged (anode) and positively charged (cathode) electrodes along with an electrolyte that helps conduct energy to charge the battery. Lithium ions move between the two electrodes to create an electrical current that powers the EV. During the transmission of electricity through the electrodes, conductive foils at each electrode help transmit the power, and a separator keeps the lithium ions away from each other and moving in the right direction.

Solid-State Battery

Lithium-ion batteries in use today are quite efficient, yet the manufacturing process is not very environmentally friendly. Automakers are researching alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, including solid-state batteries. These types of EV batteries may provide longer driving ranges, take up less interior space, and even improve the vehicle's overall performance.

Lithium-Sulfur Battery

Lithium-sulfur batteries are another promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries. While still in the research phase, EV battery producers are finding that this type of EV battery is cheaper to produce, more environmentally friendly, and has a longer driving range than standard lithium-ion batteries.

Weather, driving conditions, and chemical reactions can help degrade the life of EV batteries, so it's essential to consider the link between your vehicle's battery management system and your daily driving habits. Some cars have a battery thermal management system that helps keep the battery at an optimum temperature, optimizing performance and extending its life span.

Learn About the Types of EV Batteries at Mercedes-Benz of Temecula

Mercedes-Benz makes several EVs, including sedans and SUVs. Stop by our Mercedes-Benz of Temecula dealership in California to explore our lineup of EVs and learn more about their features, the batteries they use, and Mercedes-Benz's commitment to sustainability. If you have a gas-powered Mercedes-Benz or other vehicle and would like to upgrade to one of the latest EVs, use our handy online value-your-trade calculator to get an idea of how much money you can put toward your down payment on a new Mercedes-Benz EV.