Although the role of a battery in a car is relatively understated and seems to lack technical sophistication, it is an indispensable component. Especially for traditional fuel vehicles, the absence of a battery or a malfunctioning one could lead to failure to start or even an inability to drive.
However, traditional batteries have obvious drawbacks, such as being large, heavy, short-lived, highly polluting, and unstable. In the automotive field, particularly in the cold winters of the North, cars often face starting issues, frequently due to battery problems. Some batteries may even start showing difficulties within just a year, requiring replacement. This is where BYD's lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) starter battery comes in.
First and foremost, BYD's LiFePO4 starter battery boasts a long lifespan, with over 3.000 charge cycles—nearly equivalent to the lifespan of the entire vehicle, eliminating the need for frequent replacements. In contrast, traditional lead-acid batteries only offer about 500 charge cycles. Secondly, the LiFePO4 battery is more compact, helping to save space within the vehicle, which in turn allows for optimized interior design. Weighing only 2 kilograms, it also contributes to reducing the vehicle's energy consumption. Lastly, traditional lead-acid batteries contain heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and sulfuric acid, and their production and disposal processes can pollute the environment and even harm human health. In comparison, the LiFePO4 battery uses lead-free technology, avoiding further environmental pollution.
While these seem like advantages all around, do we really need this? Traditional lead-acid batteries may have a shorter lifespan, but most cars only require one or two battery replacements, costing less than 1.000 yuan on average. The cost of BYD's LiFePO4 starter battery is its biggest drawback. Although the exact price hasn't been announced yet, LiFePO4 batteries are significantly more expensive than lead-acid ones. Estimates suggest the price could be more than double, making it less cost-effective despite its longer lifespan and lighter weight.
So, if BYD's LiFePO4 starter battery is indeed priced twice as much as a standard lead-acid battery, which one would you choose?
