Why should I choose UBC lead-carbon batteries over lithium batteries?

Environmentally, lead is better. It is easier to recycle and easier to produce. Lithium batteries use lithium ore which must be mined and large amounts of water are used in the production process. Lithium batteries are difficult to recycle because of the toxic chemicals they contain. Because lithium battery cells have to be electronically controlled they rely on silicon chips which are mostly made in Taiwan so there is a logistics and security of supply risk. Currently there are very few recycling facilities for lithium.

There are also concerns about the continuity of supply of lithium with China having more than half of the world’s reserves of lithium.

Eurobat Battery Innovation Roadmap 2030

Eurobat Battery Innovation Roadmap 2030 – Lead Acid Batteries

EUROBAT Parameters		2020 State of the Art	2030 Target	UBC 2021
Electrochemical System	Cathode	PbO₂	PbO₂	PbO₂
Electrochemical System	Anode	Pb, Pb+C	Pb, Pb+C	Pb, Pb+C
Energy Density (Wh/Kg)	Battery	23 – 45	35 – 55	52 – 68
Energy Density (Wh/l)	Battery	36 – 100	50 – 110	112 – 139
Power Density (W/Kg)	Battery	41 – 400	65 – 450	380 – 410
Power Density (W/l)	Battery	76 – 840	72 – 900	820 – 920
Predicted Lifetime (Yr)	Calendaric	10 – 25	10 – 25	10 – 25
Operation Temperature Range (^oC)		-25 – +50	-25 – +50	-40 – +88
Energy Efficiency (%)		67 – 85	>90	85 – 90

EUROBAT = Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers. The purpose of the association is to study all matters of interest to storage battery manufacturers and their sub-contractors in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.