Comparison of commercial battery types


This is a list of commercially available battery types summarizing some of their characteristics for ready comparison.

Common characteristics

Cost in inflation-adjusted USD.
Typical. See for alternative electrode materials.

Rechargeable characteristics

Cell chemistryCharge efficiencyCycle durability
Cell chemistry%# 100% depth of discharge cycles
Lead–acid50–9250–100
Rechargeable alkaline5–100
Nickel–zinc100 to 50% capacity
Nickel–iron65–805,000
Nickel–cadmium70–90500
Nickel–hydrogen8520,000
Nickel–metal hydride66300–800
Low self-discharge nickel–metal hydride battery500–1,500
Lithium cobalt oxide90500–1,000
Lithium–titanate85–906,000–30,000 to 90% capacity
Lithium iron phosphate902,500–12,000 to 80% capacity
Lithium manganese oxide90300–700

Thermal runaway

Under certain conditions, some battery chemistries are at risk of thermal runaway, leading to cell rupture or combustion. As thermal runaway is determined not only by cell chemistry but also cell size, cell design and charge, only the worst-case values are reflected here.