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How Long Do Car Batteries Last :Lead-Acid VS LifePo4 Battery ?

by miidi 21 Jul 2025

Automotive batteries are the "heart" of vehicles, and their lifespan directly impacts ownership costs and user experience. Traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles typically use lead-acid batteries, while electric vehicles (EVs) predominantly employ lithium iron phosphate LiFePO4 batteries. This article examines the stark differences between these two technologies in lifespan, economics, and real-world performance, supported by authoritative data.


1. Lifespan Comparison: Data-Driven Insights

Battery Type Average Lifespan Cycle Life Key Degradation Factors
Lead-Acid 2–5 years 300–500 cycles Deep discharge, heat, vibration, chronic undercharging
LiFePO4 8–15 years 3,000–5,000 cycles High temperatures (>45°C), overcharging, BMS failure

Scientific Breakdown:

  1. Chemical Properties

    • Lead-Acid: Sulfuric acid reacts with lead plates. Discharge below 50% causes irreversible sulfation (crystal buildup), permanently reducing capacity.

    • LiFePO4: Lithium ions move stably within an olivine structure. Tolerates 80% depth of discharge (DoD) without damage.

  2. Degradation Mechanisms

    • Lead-Acid (Source: Battery University, Johnson Controls):

      • Capacity loss: 15–30% annually

      • 20% capacity reduction after 5 deep discharges (<50% charge)

    • LiFePO4 (Source: U.S. DOE, CATL):

      • Annual capacity fade: 2–3%

      • >80% capacity retention after 2,000 cycles (CATL lab tests)


2. Total Cost of Ownership: 10-Year Financial Model

Parameters: Compact ICE vehicle vs. equivalent EV (60 kWh battery); annual mileage: 20,000 km; discount rate: 3% (Source: BloombergNEF, IEA 2024).

Cost Component Lead-Acid (ICE) LiFePO4 (EV)
Initial Purchase CNY 800 CNY 45,900
Replacements (10 yrs) 3.3 times 0 (8-year warranty)
Replacement Cost CNY 2,640 0
Maintenance CNY 1,200 0
Jump-Start Services CNY 1,500 0
Residual Value -CNY 200 -CNY 12,000
Total Cost (NPV) CNY 5,940 CNY 33,900
Annual Cost CNY 594 CNY 3,390

⚡️ Key Findings:

  • Per-Kilometer Cost:

    • Lead-Acid: CNY 0.0297/km

    • LiFePO4: CNY 0.0170/km (over vehicle lifetime)

  • Break-Even Mileage: LiFePO4 becomes cheaper beyond 175,000 km (MIT 2023)


3. Degradation Science: Lab-Verified Evidence

Lead-Acid Weaknesses (Source: Argonne National Lab)

  • Sulfation: Crystal growth accelerates by 300% when charge drops below 50% (Test ID: ANL-BAT-2022-047).

  • Vibration Damage: Engine vibrations cause active material shedding, increasing annual capacity loss to 8.2% (SAE J240 test).

LiFePO4 Durability (Source: CATL Patents)

  • Nano-Coated Cathode: Prevents lithium dendrites; volume expansion <1% (Patent: CN114512658A).

  • Advanced BMS: Voltage control precision ±0.05V; overcharge risk reduced to 0.01%.


4. Environmental Costs & Regulations (Source: ICCT, EU Battery Act)

Factor Lead-Acid LiFePO4
Pollution Remediation CNY 1,200/ton (soil decontamination) 0
Carbon Footprint 78kg CO₂/kWh 42kg CO₂/kWh (2024)
Recyclability 98% (actual rate: 30%) 96% (Li/Fe recovery)
Policy Impact Rising pollution taxes (EU/China) Green subsidies

📌 Revised Economics: Including China’s 2025 lead tax (CNY 200/ton), lead-acid ownership cost exceeds CNY 7,000 over 10 years.


5. Decision Matrix: Which Battery Wins?

Lead-acid batteries offer short-term savings but fail under high-demand scenarios. LiFePO4’s 10× cycle lifenear-zero maintenance, and high residual value make it the long-term winner. With prices falling to $72/kWh (CNY 520/kWh) in 2024 (UBS teardown) and projected to hit $50/kWh by 2030, LiFePO4 is no longer a premium option but the universally economical choice – a triumph of both technology and arithmetic.

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OKMO Outdoor mobile power solution experts, a brand you can trust!

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OKMO is an enterprise focusing on mobile energy storage solutions. With a modern factory of 2,000 square meters, 139 patented technologies and a professional R&D team, OKMO provides users with efficient, safe and reliable outdoor power support. The core of its products adopts lithium iron phosphate battery, which has the advantages of longer life, higher safety and environmental protection without pollution. Meanwhile, OKMO has a professional sales team of 50 people to provide comprehensive support from purchase to after-sales, so that users can have peace of mind. Whether for outdoor adventure, emergency backup or daily use, OKMO is a reliable mobile power expert.
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