7 Types of Car Batteries

Types of Car Batteries – Just like a heartbeat that keeps you alive, a car battery also keeps your vehicle running!

The car batteries supply the energy needed to turn the engine, turning on the lights and other electrical components present in your car.

There are several types of car batteries, and it is important to know the differences to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Well, in this article, we will give you a little guide about car battery types, working principles and also the pros and cons of each types

Types of Car Batteries

1. Lead Acid Battery

This is the most common and the most traditional type of battery used in many cars.

The basis of operation involves a reaction between lead and lead oxide in a liquid electrolyte, which is typically a solution of sulfuric acid and water. 

But because of the liquid electrolyte’s nature, evaporation can happen over time, thus reducing battery performance.

Because of this, these  batteries need to be maintained on a regular basis and topped out with distilled water.

There are two types of lead acid batteries including:

• SLI Battery
• Deep Cycle Battery

Pros:

• Reliability
• Cost-effective
• Accessibility

Cons:

• Might need regular maintenance
• Evaporation issues can affect battery performance over time.

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2. VRLA Batteries (Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries)

The next one is the VRLA battery or more commonly known as sealed lead-acid batteries.

These are an advancement in battery technology as these batteries are sealed and maintenance-free, thus you don’t need to top it up with a distilled water.

There are also two types of VRLA batteries, including:

• Gel Cell Battery
• Absorbed Glass Matt (AGM) Battery

3. Lithium-Ion Battery

These are the batteries most commonly used in electric vehicles (EVs) and also in the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEvs).

The lithium-ion batteries is a recyclable and eco friendly option that have a high power-to-weight ratio and have a low self-discharge and also an excellent energy efficiency.

Pros:

• High energy efficiency
• Eco-friendly

Cons:

• Tends to be more expensive
• Overheating concerns

4. Sodium Ion Battery

The sodium ion batteries are like the substitute for lithium ion batteries.

The sodium ion batteries are still in development and projected to be a more sustainable and affordable option than lithium ion batteries as the sodium is more widely available and easier to extract than lithium.

Pros:

• Widely available resource
• Sustainability

Cons:

• Still in development

5. Solid State Battery

The solid-state batteries are a fast charging and high power input newer technology that is said will replaces the liquid or gel electrolyte and electrodes that are present in conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Pros:

• Fast Charging
• Higher power input

Cons:

• Harder to manufacture
• May take several years to widely available on the market

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6. Nikel-Metal Hydride Battery (NiMH)

The NiMH battery is a popular type of rechargeable battery that is well-known for its versatility and eco-friendliness.

NiMH batteries employ a metal alloy negative electrode that absorbs hydrogen in addition to positive electrodes made of nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH). 

The battery’s negative electrode absorbs hydrogen and the positive electrodes oxidize during charging, resulting in the creation of metal hydride. 

The opposite reaction takes place during the discharging process, producing electrical energy.

Pros:

• Higher Energy Density
• Rechargeable
• Eco-Friendly 

Cons:

• High self-discharge rate
• Memory effect

7. SIlver Calcium Battery

The silver calcium batteries are also an innovation in automotive battery technology that offers an enhanced efficiency, performance and also longer lifespan than that of traditional lead-acid batteries.

The positive grids of these batteries are constructed from alloys of silver and calcium.

The silver calcium batteries use silver to strengthen the battery’s mechanical properties and increase its ability to withstand corrosion, thus resulting in longer lifespan.

The low self-discharge rate and extended shelf life of the battery are attributed to the sophisticated grid design and the use of calcium alloys in the negative plates.

Pros:

• Higher starting power
• Low-maintenance
• Longer lifespan

Cons:

• More expensive

There you go 7 types of car batteries to choose for your favorite ride!

The car batteries are also one of the products that need to be certified with the SNI certification to ensure its safety and quality.

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