Lithium iron phosphate batteries (LifePO4 or LFP batteries) are the safest traditional Li-Ion batteries. The LiFePO4 battery uses chemistry derived from lithium-ion technology and shares the virtues and advantages of batteries of this type. However, there are fundamental differences.
Longer functioning life:
Ferrous lithium LiFePO4 guarantees a useful life of between 2000 and 3000 cycles. Each charge and discharge corresponds to a cycle, that is, in the systems, we deal with, and a cycle corresponds to a day. On the other hand, standard lithium batteries have a lifespan of 1,000 to 1,500 cycles, but since isolated lithium is highly affected by high temperatures, it easily loses its lifespan in high-temperature environments. This is avoided when you use ferrous and phosphates with it.
Resistance to high temperatures:
The iron-lithium chemistry allows it to be charged and discharged at high ambient temperatures without affecting its useful life. Therefore, LFP lithium iron phosphate batteries are recommended in places with high temperatures and large temperature fluctuations.
Safety and stability:
Ferrous lithium is the most stable. It is much more stable than standard lithium and will never explode or burn. However, standard lithium has a risk of burning, especially at high ambient temperatures, which is why airports do not allow large batteries to be charged on planes. Also, vibrations do not affect LifePO4 batteries as much, and therefore they are not fragile as traditional batteries.
Storage:
The battery does not always have to be 100% charged to be able to make partial charges. In this case, standard lithium batteries would also have this advantage, but to a lesser extent than Lifepo4 batteries.
Autonomy to the end, efficient:
There will be no gradual shortening of autonomy, initially using it at 100% of its capacity and shortening this percentage over the years. With this type of Lifepo4 battery, autonomy will last at an optimal level until the end of its useful life. The autonomy of LiFePo4 batteries is 4 or 5 times better than normal batteries.
Sustainable:
LiFePo4 batteries are safer for the environment than other types of batteries. The use of phosphates avoids the cost of cobalt and the resulting environmental risks.
It is also to be mentioned that **LiFePO4 batteries** are more expensive than their competitors in the short term. But in the larger term, it is cheaper because it can sustain more cycles than other ones.
If all the previous variables are added, these batteries have a much lower cost in the medium and long term, higher usage time, safety, and ability to work in bad conditions, since their replacement time/durability is much greater (the cost per cycle is cheaper in lithium).
