Lithium battery progress

We will be comparing a raft of 12V lithium batteries in the next issue, including this one, because the long-term costs of this 68Ah lithium-ion phosphate battery are claimed to be lower than those for traditional battery technologies. It’s a 68Ah model rated for a 90% charge/discharge cycle, making it equivalent in capacity to a 120Ah lead acid battery rated for 50% cycles. And it weighs only 8kg.

Although the upfront cost is significantly higher, the LiFOS batteries are rated at 2,750 cycles – roughly three to six times as many as conventional batteries. The long-term cost is therefore significantly lower. A smartphone app can be used to monitor state of charge via a Bluetooth connection and there’s a five-year warranty.

Price from £699.

■ lifos.co.uk