lithium ferric phosphate (LiFePo4)

The lithium iron phosphate(LiFePo, LFP) battery is the further development of the lithium ion( LiIon) battery. In the LiFePo4 battery, the cathode is made of LiFePo4 and has a higher discharge rate than other lithium batteries, allowing extremely high discharge currents without the possibility of thermal overload.

Discharge currents can be many times the charge capacity(coulombs, C), reaching C coefficients of 100C at peak. The charging times are also very short.

In terms of characteristics, LiFePo4 batteries have a nominal voltage of 3.2 V, their energy density ranges from 100 Wh/kg to 120 Wh/kg, their power density is 3 kW/kg, and the number of charge cycles ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 depending on the depth of discharge. When fully discharged with a C coefficient of 10C, over 1,000 discharge cycles are possible. However, lithium iron phosphate batteries have the memory effect, which is noticeable through partial discharge. They can be used at outside temperatures between -45 °C and +70 °C.

Because of their high discharge currents and intrinsic safety, lithium iron phosphate batteries are suitable for electric bicycles and electric vehicles. They can be recharged frequently and used in a wide temperature range.