Can I Replace My Lead Acid Car Battery with a Lithium Battery in 2025?
Yes
If you have a passenger car or other standard vehicle, you can inquire directly with your car dealer about lithium battery replacement options. If you have other non-standard vehicles, such as scooters, self-balancing scooters, toy cars, electric tricycles, low-speed electric four-wheelers, and want to replace the battery yourself, please read this article to learn how to and what tools you need.
Can Lithium Batteries Directly Replace Lead Acid Ones?
Yes, you can replace your lead-acid battery with a common ternary lithium battery or a lithium iron phosphate battery. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are generally considered safer, more reliable, and less likely to ignite or explode, and they are gradually becoming widely used. This makes future repairs and replacements much easier, and also makes it easier to find compatible chargers and other parts.
First, you need to determine the size, voltage, capacity, and other basic parameters of your lead-acid battery. You can either purchase a pre-made lithium iron phosphate battery online or have a custom-made lithium iron phosphate battery of the appropriate size and capacity directly from the manufacturer.
If you purchase a pre-made lithium iron phosphate battery, please ensure your vehicle has the BMS (Battery Safety Management System). This ensures compatibility.
If you custom-order a lithium iron phosphate battery, please request that the manufacturer include a BMS (Battery Safety Management System).
Checking Points
1. Voltage Compatibility
Check your vehicle’s working voltage, which can be read from the original battery or the vehicle engine motor label. While many LiFePO4 batteries are designed to match the voltage of lead-acid batteries (12V), some vehicles may require specific voltage settings. Mostly use electric scooters use 48V, 36V, and electric tricycles mostly use 60V.
2. Charging System
Lead-acid battery chargers and lithium battery chargers are not interchangeable. Do not replace them directly; otherwise, it will damage your charger or cause permanent damage to the battery.
Car charging systems are typically designed for lead-acid batteries, which have different charging characteristics compared to lithium-ion batteries. A LiFePO4 battery may require a different charging profile or a dedicated charger to perform optimally.
The most common solution is to order a lithium battery charger at the same time as your battery. Do not use the vehicle’s original charger or charging system. Use the included charger to charge your lithium battery directly. The lithium battery powers the vehicle’s drive system. When the battery is low, connect the charger to the battery for recharging.
3. Battery Management System (BMS)
Some vehicles have a Battery Management System (BMS) that is specifically designed for lead-acid batteries. If you are replacing the main starting battery with a lithium-ion battery in a vehicle that has such a BMS, you need to ensure that the new battery can be “registered” and coded to the car properly, according to experts like Antigravity Batteries.
Most electric scooters currently on the market use a separate drive system and battery system. The lithium battery’s BMS management system is built directly into the battery pack. Currently, low-speed electric scooters do not have a BMS management system.
4. Overcharging
Overcharging can seriously damage lithium-ion batteries. It’s crucial to ensure that your charging system doesn’t exceed the battery’s maximum voltage limits to prevent any damage.
Please choose a charger with automatic disconnection protection function when fully charged
5. Physical Size and Terminals
Before making the switch, verify that the LiFePO4 battery’s physical dimensions and terminal types match your vehicle’s battery compartment. A mismatch could prevent proper installation and performance.
Please provide the original battery model, size, picture, and other important information when you order lithium iron phosphate batteries.
