{"id":10807,"date":"2022-09-08T18:38:18","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T16:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.gsa-messgeraete.de\/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-lithium-ion-batteries-life-cycle-assessment\/"},"modified":"2025-04-30T08:47:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T06:47:22","slug":"advantages-and-disadvantages-of-lithium-ion-batteries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.gsa-messgeraete.de\/en\/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-lithium-ion-batteries\/","title":{"rendered":"Advantages and disadvantages of lithium-ion batteries – Life cycle assessment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lithium-ion batteries<\/strong> are essential and very popular as rechargeable storage devices in household appliances, PCs, laptops, tablets, cell phones, battery storage for photovoltaic systems and for climate-friendly electromobility. The trend towards the use of these high-performance rechargeable batteries continues unabated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very high numbers of e-car registrations are expected in Germany in the future. The German government plans to have ten million registered electric vehicles by 2030. Many consumers already own numerous (household) appliances with powerful and energy-efficient lithium-ion batteries<\/strong>. This poses particular challenges<\/strong> for consumers<\/strong> and disposal companies<\/strong>, as well as for correct disposal for resource-saving recycling<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n


Lithium-ion batteries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries<\/strong> are mainly offered commercially as lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide-based NMC rechargeable batteries.<\/strong> They differ in size, shape and chemical composition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are particularly suitable for mobile applications<\/strong> as they are small and lightweight. The values and requirements for these accumulators (rechargeable batteries) vary depending on the design. They have different characteristics such as the maximum permitted charging and discharging current and voltage, temperature sensitivity and cell voltage. They have a high energy density due to the lithium and are rechargeable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages of lithium-ion batteries <\/h2>\n\n\n\n


High energy density and performance<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lithium-ion batteries<\/strong> have a high energy density<\/strong> due to the lithium ions they contain. They have a very high performance compared to other batteries. Their self-discharge rate<\/strong> is also very low<\/strong>. There are no memory effects as with the previously known NiMH and NiCd batteries. They are safe if handled correctly and used carefully. If stored or disposed of incorrectly, they can ignite and cause serious fires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rechargeability<\/strong> and reusability<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another advantage is that they can be recharged<\/strong> repeatedly<\/strong>. This means that empty batteries do not have to be replaced and disposed of after use. As they can be recharged around a thousand times and, depending on the battery, significantly more, they are environmentally friendly. They save resources that would be used in the production of normal batteries. According to a calculation by the Federal Environment Agency, the use of these batteries saves “around half a kilogram of climate-relevant carbon dioxide per battery service hour”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Longevity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lithium-ion batteries based on lithium iron phosphate<\/strong> last around five times longer than conventional lead-acid batteries in vehicles. They are also maintenance-free<\/strong>. Corresponding regulations must be observed for a longer “service life”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lithium-ion battery<\/strong> installed in electric cars<\/strong> is particularly effective, as charging is faster overall than with a lead-acid battery. For this reason, the lightweight and fast-charging lithium-ion batteries<\/strong> are installed in electric vehicles. In addition, lithium-ion batteries also achieve sufficiently high currents<\/strong> in the short term, such as for the vehicle’s starter or ignition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disadvantages of lithium-ion batteries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One disadvantage of lithium-ion batteries is their sensitivity <\/strong>to temperatures that are too high or too low. They do not tolerate strong sunlight (from approx. 50 degrees Celsius) or cold temperatures, especially below minus 20 degrees Celsius. The battery-operated device then switches off automatically during operation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sensitivity to extreme temperatures<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Improper storage shortens battery life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the lithium-ion battery is not charged for a longer period of time, it can age<\/strong> and may no longer function or charge fully.<\/strong> Therefore, if it is not used for a long time, it should be recharged after six months at the latest. It is also sensitive to overcharging; for example, a battery installed in a laptop has a protective circuit designed to prevent device failure. Overcharging and deep discharging can significantly shorten the service life of the battery. For correct use, it is best to charge the battery with approx. 20% charge remaining and remove it from the charging current at 90%. The battery should be stored at temperatures between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius for an optimally long service life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another problem is that finite resources<\/strong> such as cobalt<\/strong>, lithium<\/strong>, manganese<\/strong>, nickel<\/strong>, copper<\/strong> and others are used in its production. For a positive environmental and energy balance, a sufficient proportion of these must be recycled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relevance of recycling lithium-ion batteries <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The need to recycle<\/strong> lithium-ion batteries is of strategic relevance<\/strong>. Metals such as nickel, cobalt, lithium, manganese, copper, iron, aluminum and even silver can be recovered from old batteries and reused as secondary raw materials<\/strong>. A fact that is significant under the objectives of the European Green Deal<\/strong>. The European Commission’s European Green Deal policy objectives are a clean and circular<\/strong> <\/strong>economy<\/em> and the expansion of an independent European value chain<\/strong> for the development of high-performance lithium-ion cells and batteries, especially for electromobility. This should ensure that the basic materials<\/strong> such as cobalt, lithium compounds and cobalt compounds remain in the cycle and thus in the value chain in high purity<\/strong>. This would make European countries less dependent on expensive foreign imports. In view of the rapid growth in e-mobility, European countries such as Germany, France and others have formulated a joint strategy known as the “European Battery Airbus<\/strong>“. European companies are to receive financial support to develop their production sites and more expertise in Europe. In this way, environmentally friendly, cost-effective, energy-efficient and socially responsible recycling can be realized and the European value chain can be realized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proper disposal of lithium-ion batteries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lithium-ion batteries must not be <\/strong>disposed of with normal household waste<\/strong>, but only professionally via special collection points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The take-back and notification obligations as well as recycling requirements are regulated by the Battery Act<\/strong>(BattG<\/strong>). According to \u00a75 BattG<\/strong><\/em> manufacturers are obliged to take back<\/strong> used batteries, in particular lithium-ion batteries, free of charge<\/strong>. These must be treated in accordance with the state of the art and recycled (\u00a714 BattG<\/em><\/strong>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lithium-ion battery that is not installed in a device should be returned to a suitable collection point<\/strong>. These collection points include stores<\/strong> that sell lithium-ion batteries and rechargeable batteries. They can also be handed in at recycling centers <\/strong>and mobile hazardous waste collection points<\/strong>. The terminals of lithium-ion batteries removed for disposal should be taped with insulating tape as a precaution against a possible short circuit. The poles of the battery should also be taped for longer storage due to the risk of fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incorrect disposal <\/strong>at suitable collection points or recycling centers poses a high risk of fire<\/strong> for both consumers and disposal companies. Batteries and rechargeable batteries that are disposed of incorrectly can ignite and cause life-threatening situations due to fire. For this reason, lithium-ion batteries and other batteries should not be disposed of with normal household waste. Doing so exposes consumers and waste disposal company employees to potential fire hazards and material damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By disposing<\/strong> of them correctly, valuable base materials such as cobalt<\/strong>, copper<\/strong>, lithium, manganese<\/strong>, nickel <\/strong>and zinc<\/strong> can be recovered and efficiently returned to the material cycle, for example to produce new, environmentally friendly rechargeable batteries. According to calculations by the Stiftung Gemeinsames R\u00fccknahmesystem<\/em>, the collection rate <\/strong>for batteries<\/strong> in Germany was just under 51%<\/strong> in 2021 <\/strong>. It therefore still met the 50% mark of the statutory take-back obligation<\/strong>. This means that even more would have to be disposed of correctly in future in order to achieve the highest possible recycling rate for new lithium-ion batteries and other batteries. Currently, only around half of batteries are returned to the cycle. The disadvantage of this is that important and scarcely available substances such as lithium are lost if they are not returned via recycling. A massive increase in recycling of up to 80% should be sought for the environment and energy balance and to avoid fires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithium-ion batteries successfully tested in GSA measuring devices in accordance with UN 38.3 for maximum safety <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The lithium-ion batteries <\/a> installed<\/strong> in the GSA measuring devices<\/strong> comply with the strict and current safety tests in accordance with UN 38.3<\/strong> (UN Manual, Part III). They have been externally tested by a professional test center. The individual tests in accordance with UN38.3 include simulated conditions such as impact<\/em>, pressure<\/em>, crushing<\/em> and transportation conditions<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All lithium-ion batteries <\/a>installed in the GSA measuring devices are of the highest quality and safety for transportation by land, sea and air. The lithium-ion batteries<\/a> installed in the GSA measuring devices have successfully passed the following UN 38.3 tests: <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n