What battery is better

[alex_h]

Hi all,

I'm still learning a lot about the ebikes and was reading recently about the batteries. I saw there are two types of cells one really hard packed in sorts of alloy cases and another a lot lighter but seems to have a kind of soft compound cell. Does anyone have any idea which ones are better or does it make any difference to them how they are packed???

Looking forward to hear from you, particularly our GURU

 

[Fecn]

I believe the two types of cell packaging you're referring to there are cylindrical cells (usually metal cased) and prismatic (square) cells which tend to be soft-sided.

As for which is better.... They both are.. but at different things. It's all down to the construction of the cells and the shapes of the electrodes inside them. Cylindrical cells tend to have higher discharge rates and faster charge rates, but prismatic cells have a higher energy density overall.

 

[flecc]

Steel cases normally, and these are generally li-ion manganese with rigid plate cells:

The soft type are polymer construction, a particulate mix rather than rigid plate and are generally considered superior in respect of life, though the rigid plate type can outperform the polymer ones very slightly in respect of voltage and performance. The chemistry can be roughly the same on both types: