Comparing the suitability of Lithium ion, Lithium Sulfur and Lithium air batteries for current and future vehicular applications

Abstract

In this report, future performance demands of batteries for various vehicular applications are modeled. Vehicles ranging in size from electric bikes to heavy trucks are assessed using driving cycle data which allows key performance parameters such as desired range (km), specific energy of the battery (Wh/Kg), cycle life requirement and expected price per unit capacity (Euro/kWh) to be calculated. These projected performance requirements are compared with the outputs for three existing Li-ion batteries (namely (a) Kokam based high specific energy source (b) A123 based high power energy source and (c) Winston low cost system). The theoretical, current state of the art and projected performance parameters for 'beyond Li-ion' technologies (Li-S and Li-O2) are also compared to the modeled battery performance demands. The analysis indicates that current battery technologies are unlikely to meet future requirements in terms of required specific energies and will likely be too costly. In comparison, fully realized beyond Li-ion alternatives may deliver the required specific energy for the full range of vehicles examined. However, scale-up of these systems is a daunting challenge and their successful implementation will depend on improvements in terms of cycle life, electrode and electrolyte stability, rate performance and development of practical battery architectures.