As a mature chemical power technology, lead-acid batteries are still widely used in multiple fields due to their low cost, high safety, and mature processes. Their core advantages are highly matched with their application scenarios, and can be divided into the following categories:
1、 Core application areas and corresponding advantages
1. Transportation field: low-speed/specific scenario power supply
This is one of the most classic application areas for lead-acid batteries, especially suitable for cost sensitive and moderate range demanding scenarios:
Application scenarios: Starting power source (lead-acid battery for starting) for electric bicycles, electric tricycles (express/freight), low-speed electric vehicles (elderly commuting vehicles, scenic sightseeing vehicles), and internal combustion locomotives (cars, tractors).
Core advantages:
High rate discharge performance: The starting battery can release amplified current (such as several hundred amperes) in a short period of time, meeting the instantaneous high-power demand of the car engine when starting, with fast response speed.
Significant cost advantage: Compared to lithium batteries (such as lithium iron phosphate), the unit capacity cost of lead-acid batteries is only 1/3 to 1/2 of that of lithium batteries, which is in line with the market positioning of "cost-effectiveness priority" for electric bicycles, low-speed vehicles, etc.
Stable low-temperature performance: In low-temperature environments ranging from -10 ℃ to 0 ℃, the capacity degradation of lead-acid batteries is much lower than that of ordinary lithium batteries, making them more suitable for starting and short distance commuting needs in cold northern regions.
2. Energy storage field: Backup power supply and low-cost energy storage
Lead acid batteries have outstanding advantages in the scenarios of "low-frequency charging and discharging, long standby and backup", especially suitable for scenarios with high reliability requirements and limited budget:
Application Scenario:
Backup power supply for communication base stations and data centers (to prevent equipment shutdown caused by power outages);
Emergency power supply for households/small businesses (such as supplying power to lighting and refrigerators during power outages);
Off grid photovoltaic systems (such as small-scale photovoltaic power supply in rural and mountainous areas, paired with lead-acid batteries for energy storage).
Core advantages:
Deep cycle life adaptation: "Deep cycle lead-acid batteries" (different from starter batteries) can support 300-800 deep charge and deep discharge cycles, meeting the needs of backup power sources for "long-term standby and occasional discharge", with high compatibility between life and scenarios.
Extremely safe: free of flammable and explosive components such as lithium and cobalt, it is not easy to catch fire or explode during overcharging or short circuit, meeting the requirements of "safety priority" for communication base stations, data centers, etc.
Low maintenance cost: With mature technology and simple troubleshooting, even for "water-based lead-acid batteries" (rich liquid type), daily maintenance only requires the addition of distilled water, without the need for a complex management system (BMS), and the maintenance threshold is low.
3. Industrial and specialized fields: heavy load and specific environment adaptation
In scenarios where there are requirements for batteries to be "impact resistant, overload resistant, and have strong environmental adaptability", lead-acid batteries are still irreplaceable:
Application Scenario:
Power supply for forklifts, storage robots, and electric handling vehicles (industrial traction batteries);
Emergency lighting/communication power supply for ships and submarines;
Backup power supply for medical equipment such as portable X-ray machines and emergency ventilators.
Core advantages:
Strong overload resistance: Traction lead-acid batteries can withstand high discharge currents for a long time (such as continuous discharge of 1-2C), adapt to the "heavy load start and frequent start stop" requirements when transporting goods on forklifts, and are not easily damaged by overload.
Good environmental tolerance: The structure is sturdy, the shell has strong impact resistance, and can adapt to the dust and vibration environment of industrial workshops, as well as the humid and salt spray environment of ships. Its stability is better than most lithium batteries.
No memory effect: It can be charged without complete discharge, suitable for high-frequency use scenarios of industrial equipment with "on-demand charging", and flexible operation.
4. Civil low-power field: low-cost daily power supply
In civilian scenarios with low capacity requirements and high usage frequency, lead-acid batteries have the advantage of "cost-effectiveness+easy accessibility":
Application scenarios: emergency lights, flashlights, portable speakers, small UPS (uninterruptible power supply, such as computer backup), children's electric toys.
Core advantages:
Extremely low price: The unit price of small capacity lead-acid batteries (such as 12V/7Ah) is only a few tens of yuan, far lower than lithium batteries of the same capacity, suitable for civilian products with "low one-time investment".
Strong universality: With a high degree of standardization, such as uniform size and interface of 12V lead-acid batteries, there is no need to adapt the equipment when replacing them, which is plug and play and has low replacement costs for users.
2、 General core advantages of lead-acid batteries (cross domain commonality)
In addition to the specialized advantages that match the scene, the technological maturity of lead-acid batteries brings the following cross disciplinary common advantages:
Raw materials are easy to obtain and have a high recycling rate: lead reserves are abundant, and the recycling rate of lead-acid batteries exceeds 95% (far higher than the 40%~60% of lithium batteries), which meets environmental protection requirements. The industrial chain has a mature closed loop (such as a complete lead-acid battery recycling system in China).
No need for complex management system (BMS): The charging and discharging characteristics of lead-acid batteries are stable, and there is no need to equip an additional "battery management system" to monitor voltage and temperature in ordinary scenarios. It can be directly connected to the load for use, reducing the overall cost of the equipment (especially for low-power devices).
Mature technology and stable production capacity: The production technology of lead-acid batteries has been developed for nearly 160 years, with mature production lines and sufficient production capacity, which can quickly meet large-scale order demands (such as bulk procurement by electric bicycle manufacturers) and short delivery cycles.
3、 Summary: The "Irreplaceability" Logic of Lead Acid Batteries
Although lithium batteries (such as lithium iron phosphate and ternary lithium) have advantages in "high energy density and long cycle life", lead-acid batteries are still difficult to replace in the following scenarios due to the balance of "cost safety scenario adaptation":
For cost sensitive scenarios that do not require high endurance (such as electric bicycles, civilian emergency equipment);
Scenarios with extremely high requirements for safety and overload resistance (such as backup power supply for communication base stations and industrial forklifts);
For scenarios with low maintenance threshold and strong environmental adaptability, such as rural photovoltaic energy storage and ship emergency power supply.
This is also the core reason why it still holds about 40% of the global secondary battery market share (by shipment volume).
