Battery and automotive technology have been intertwined for more than a century. In 1912, as automobiles began to gain mass popularity, Cadillac developed the first starter motor. This innovation eliminated the need for hand cranking and required a reliable power source — a lead-acid battery. By 1920, most new vehicles were equipped with electric starters powered by batteries.
In the century since, battery and automotive technology have seen dramatic and rapid advancements — many of them within the past decade or so. From electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids to cars loaded with electrical demands like stop/start and infotainment systems, the demand for efficient, high-capacity batteries has never been greater.
In this blog post, we’ll examine current advancements and developments in battery technology for automotive applications — including the continued development of lead-acid batteries as well as still-in-progress technology.
A Look Back (and Forward) at Lead-Acid Batteries
Even with the rise of EVs — and the lithium-ion technology that powers them — lead-acid batteries are still the most common automotive batteries on the market.
Lead-acid battery research continues to focus on increasing energy throughput, cycle life and cost efficiency. Research has shown that adding carbon to lead batteries can boost performance and improve internal resistance.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have been around since the 1970s but began gaining commercial success in the 1990s, becoming popular in consumer electronics. Since then, the technology inside and around Li-ion batteries has taken off.
How Do Lithium-Ion Batteries Work?
Li-ion batteries contain a cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator, and positive and negative current collector. The cathode and anode store the lithium. The job of the electrolyte is to carry the positively charged lithium ions from the anode to the cathode and back again through the separator.
As the lithium moves along, it creates free electrons in the anode area — this creates a positive charge at the positive current collector. The electrical current moves from the current collector through the car and then back to the negative current collector.
Lithium-Ion Batteries in Vehicles
In 1998, the Nissan Altra EV became the first commercially available car to use a Li-ion battery. Since then, manufacturers have seen value in Li-ion batteries for powering cars, trucks and recreational vehicles. They are light, have high energy density and are more efficient than traditional lead-acid batteries. This means they can store much more energy in the same physical space.
This directly translates to more power for longer periods of time. Li-ion batteries are also extremely efficient. They’re rated around 95% efficiency versus around 80% to 85% for a standard lead-acid battery.
One of the biggest advantages of Li-ion batteries is the amount of research and development that battery manufacturers are investing. The technology that powers these batteries is growing by leaps and bounds every year.
Beyond Lead and Lithium: What’s New in Vehicle Batteries
Lead-acid batteries are the steady standbys, and Li-ion is the new battery on the block, but battery technology continues to develop rapidly. Here’s what’s new and next in power:
Solid-State Batteries
The “next big thing” in EV technology, these solid-state batteries replace liquid electrolyte with solid materials — typically ceramic, a polymer mix or glass.
Compared to Li-ion batteries, solid-state batteries can withstand a wider range of temperatures, charge faster, and are safer due to reduced risk of fire and higher energy density.
- Use in automotive applications. The first solid-state battery-powered vehicle has yet to hit the market. In January 2024, Toyota announced plans for its in-development EV vehicle with a solid-state battery with an expected launch in 2027 at the earliest.
Lithium-Sulfur Batteries (Li-S)
Lighter and less expensive to produce than Li-ion batteries, Li-S batteries may play a role in the future of EVs, aviation and grid energy storage. They are made up of a lithium anode with sulfur-based cathode, which is more sustainable than the metals used in Li-ion batteries.
Cobalt-Free Lithium-Ion Batteries
A typical Li-ion battery pack can contain up to 20 grams of cobalt, one of the most expensive materials in a battery. A cobalt-free option is more sustainable and ethical and brings down the cost of EV batteries. Eliminating cobalt is challenging, and researchers are working on no- and low-cobalt alternatives.
Sodium-Ion Batteries (Na-ion)
Using salt water or sodium, these batteries function in a similar way to Li-ion but without the use of lithium, which is a finite resource that uses a vast amount of water. Na-ion batteries are a cost-effective alternative and rely on abundant materials like sodium. These are still in development to function well as EV and grid storage. Companies like Malta are developing a thermo-electrical energy storage system using abundant raw materials like steel, air, salt and liquids.
Battery Technology and Industrial Applications
Battery technology plays a significant role in the advancement of EVs, but it is also transforming various industrial sectors, like logistics, mining and renewable energy storage.
Lead Batteries in Industry
Lead batteries are key to the future growth and success of industrial sectors.
According to Battery Council International (BCI), approximately 76% of all material handling equipment, from freight trains to electric forklifts, rely on advanced lead batteries.
Lead batteries also offer a safe, cost-effective and reliable energy source for the ever-increasing power storage demands of renewable energy systems like wind and solar. In fact, “lead batteries are the most widely used energy storage battery on earth, comprising nearly 45% of the worldwide rechargeable battery market share,” according to BCI.
New Battery Technologies in Industry
Lithium-ion and solid-state batteries are being explored for their potential to offer greater energy density, faster charging and better performance in extreme environments.
Currently, lead-acid batteries supply 88% of the backup power for 24/7 telecommunications, but sodium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries have shown promise in providing reliable backup power with a focus on sustainability.
The Battery Future Is Now
Our national reliance on battery power and storage is not going anywhere. Building a cheaper, more sustainable and more powerful battery is key to meeting future energy demands and reducing our carbon footprint.
Ongoing advancements in battery technology — whether through new innovations or enhancements to tried-and-tested solutions like lead-acid and lithium — are sure to drive innovation across automotive, industrial and grid applications for generations to come.
