NiCd

NiMH

Lead Acid

Li-ion

Li-ion polymer

Reusable

 

Alkaline

 

Gravimetric Energy Density(Wh/kg)

45-80

60-120

30-50

110-160

100-130

80 (initial)

Internal Resistance 

100 to 2001

200 to 3001

<1001

150 to 2501

200 to 3001

200 to 20001

(includes peripheral circuits) in mΩ

6V pack

6V pack

12V pack

7.2V pack

7.2V pack

6V pack

Cycle Life (to 80% of initial capacity)

15002

300 to 5002,3

200 to 

500 to 10003

300 to 

503 

3002

500

(to 50%)

Fast Charge Time

1h typical

2-4h

8-16h

2-4h

2-4h

2-3h

Overcharge Tolerance

moderate

low

high

very low

low

moderate

Self-discharge / Month (room temperature)

20%4

30%4

5%

10%5

~10%5

0.30%

Cell Voltage(nominal)

1.25V6

1.25V6

2V

3.6V

3.6V

1.5V

Load Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

-    peak

20C

5C

5C7 

>2C

>2C

0.5C

-    best result

1C

0.5C or lower

0.2C

1C or lower

1C or lower

0.2C or lower

Operating Temperature(discharge only)

-40 to 

-20 to 

-20 to 

-20 to 

0 to 

0 to 

60°C

60°C

60°C

60°C

60°C

65°C

Maintenance Requirement

30 to 60 days

60 to 90 days

3 to 6 months9

not req.

not req.

not req.

Typical Battery Cost

$50

$60

$25

$100

$100

$5

(US$, reference only)

(7.2V)

(7.2V)

(6V)

(7.2V)

(7.2V)

(9V)

Cost per Cycle(US$)11

$0.04

$0.12

$0.10

$0.14

$0.29

$0.10-0.50

Commercial use since

1950

1990

1970

1991

1999

1992