NIMH & LIPO

There are two essential types of batteries used to power electric RC cars and trucks: nickel-metal hydride (NIMH) and lithium polymer (Lipo). The chemistry-class names refer to the materials within the battery that react to store and release energy as electricity, and each battery type has its pros and cons.

NIMH

If you purchased a ready-to-run (RTR) model with an included battery, chances are it’s a NIMH. Nickel-metal packs are rugged, inexpensive, and don’t require much in the way of special care. However, they’re heavier than a Lipo battery of similar voltage and capacity (we’ll get to those terms), and their voltage decreases more steadily as the pack is discharged compared to a Lipo.

LIPO

A Lipo battery is lighter than a NIMH of similar voltage and capacity, which helps your model feel more powerful. Also contributing to that “feeling of power” (often called “punch”) is the Lipo’s ability to maintain higher voltage for a greater duration of its run time. The downsides are cost (Lipos are more expensive than NIMH, but the gap is narrowing) and durability (Lipos require a specific care regimen for longest life and safe use).

NIMH packs are constructed with cylindrical cells, just like what we associate with the term “battery.” This pack is made up of six 1.2-volt cells, for a total of 7.2 volts.

Lipo batteries are assembled with flat slab-like cells, and a single Lipo cell is 3.7 volts. This pack has two cells, for a total of 7.4 volts.