LiFePO₄ Battery VS NCA/NCM Battery

Comparison Dimensions

LiFePO₄ Battery (LFP)

Ternary lithium battery (NCM/NCA)

Core Difference Logic

Security

The advantages are obvious: the thermal runaway temperature is high (about 200-250℃), and it is not easy to catch fire or explode when exposed to high temperature, puncture, or extrusion; even if there is a short circuit, it mostly manifests as smoke rather than open flames.

Weaker: The thermal runaway temperature is low (about 150-200°C), and high temperature or puncture can easily trigger a "thermal runaway chain reaction" (positive electrode oxygen release + electrolyte combustion), which has a higher risk of fire.

The LiFePO₄ positive electrode does not contain oxygen (stable structure), and the ternary positive electrode contains metal oxides (easy to release oxygen at high temperature to aid combustion).

Cycle life

The advantages are obvious: the charge and discharge cycle life can reach 2000-3000 times at room temperature (remaining capacity ≥ 80%); some high-quality products can exceed 5000 times (such as energy storage-level LFP).

Weaker: cycle life 1000-1500 times (remaining capacity ≥ 80%); high-nickel ternary (such as NCM811) has a shorter life (about 800-1000 times).

The crystal structure of ternary materials is prone to powderization due to volume expansion/contraction during charging and discharging, while the LiFePO₄ structure is more stable (olivine structure).

Energy density

Disadvantages: Single cell energy density is about 150-200 Wh/kg; system level (including casing, BMS) is about 100-150 Wh/kg.

The advantages are significant: single-cell energy density 200-300 Wh/kg; system-level 150-250 Wh/kg (high-nickel NCM can reach 300+).

Ternary materials have higher theoretical capacity (e.g. NCM positive electrode capacity is about 150-220 mAh/g, LFP is about 170 mAh/g) and greater density.

Charge and discharge efficiency

Higher (85%-90%), less efficiency attenuation during high current charging and discharging (suitable for high-frequency charging and discharging).

The efficiency of LFP is high (85%-95%), but it is slightly better than LFP at high rate charge and discharge (such as above 1C) (due to lower internal resistance).

The differences are small and both can meet the needs of most scenarios.

High and low temperature adaptability

Excellent high temperature stability: stable performance below 60°C, slow capacity decay;

Low temperature shortcomings: capacity drops to 70%-80% at -10°C, and drops to 50%-60% at -20°C (heating assistance required).

Low temperature advantage: 70%-80% of capacity can be maintained at -20℃, and more than 50% can be maintained at -30℃ (no additional heating required);

High temperature disadvantage: Capacity decay accelerates above 40℃, and long-term high temperature can easily lead to thermal runaway risks.

The ion conductivity of ternary materials is less affected by low temperature, and the ion migration rate of LiFePO₄ decreases significantly at low temperature.

Cost

The advantages are obvious: low material cost (no cobalt, nickel, cheap iron/phosphorus), monomer cost is 20%-30% lower than ternary; full life cycle cost (calculated by number of cycles) is more than 50% lower.

High cost: Cobalt (accounting for 40%-50% of material costs) and nickel prices fluctuate greatly (cobalt prices in 2023 will be about RMB 300,000 per ton, more than 1,000 times that of iron); high life cycle costs.

The positive electrode material accounts for 60% of the battery cost. Ternary materials rely on high-priced metals, while LFP materials are cheap and stable.

Other Features

No memory effect, can be deeply discharged (to 20% remaining power does not affect life); low volume density (larger volume at the same capacity).

No memory effect, deep discharge (<20%) has a greater impact on life; high volume density (smaller volume at the same capacity).

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Scene Type

Core Requirements

Preferred battery type

Selection Logic

Solar energy storage

Long life (8-10 years), high safety (outdoor/long-term operation), low cost, high-frequency charging and discharging

LFP

The cycle life (2000+ times) is compatible with the 20-year life cycle of photovoltaics; it is safer and more reliable in outdoor high temperature/humid environments; and the full-cycle cost is low.

Household / Commercial Energy Storage

Safe (home scenarios), large capacity, low maintenance

LFP

Avoid fire risks (families are highly sensitive to safety); no need for frequent replacement (reduce maintenance costs).

Electric vehicles (passenger cars)

Endurance (energy density), low temperature performance (northern market)

NCM/NCA

High energy density (300 Wh/kg) can increase the battery life to 600km+; the battery life is less degraded in the low temperatures of northern winter.

Electric vehicles (commercial vehicles)

Long cycle (charge and discharge once a day, more than 5 years), low cost

LFP

Commercial vehicles have low range requirements (200-300km) but high cycle requirements (more than 1,500 times), so LFP is more suitable.

Portable Devices

Lightweight (small size), portable, short-term use

NCM/NCA

High energy density (lighter and thinner at the same capacity), suitable for solar power banks, outdoor power supplies (1-2kWh), etc.

Low temperature / extremely cold areas

Normal charging and discharging at low temperatures (such as high altitude areas)

NCM/NCA

It can still work stably below -20℃, but LFP needs heating assistance (increases energy consumption).

Large energy storage power station

Large capacity (MWh level), ultra-long life (10 years +), absolutely safe

LFP

The single investment is large, so costs need to be controlled; once a fire occurs in a power plant, the consequences are serious, so safety is the priority; the cycle life needs to match the 20-year operating period of the power plant.