The role of the battery pack is to store energy, which is stored in electrochemical circuits. The following four types of batteries are most common in both electric scooters and light electric vehicles in general. These are Pb batteries, Ni-Mh batteries, Ni-Cd batteries, and Li-ion batteries.

Comparisons of basic properties

The role of the battery pack is to store energy, which is stored in electrochemical circuits. The following four types of batteries are most common in both electric scooters and light electric vehicles in general. These are Pb batteries, Ni-Mh batteries, Ni-Cd batteries, and Li-ion batteries.

Pb, < 300 Cyclic endurance

Specific energy
33Wh - 42kg

Ni-Cd, 2000 Cyclic endurance

Specific energy
40Wh - 60kg

Ni-Mh, 180 - 2000 Cyclic endurance

Specific energy
60Wh - 120kg

Li-ion, 400 - 1200 Cyclic endurance

Specific energy
100Wh - 265kg

Cyclic endurance

The cycle life of a particular type of battery is greatly influenced by how it is handled. Li-ion batteries in particular are very sensitive to how many percent of the state of charge (SoC) they are charging and discharging. The German company BMZ has done interesting research. SAMSUNG ICR18650-26F Li-ion cells were tested. The cells were emptied and filled to different levels of charge. In doing so, they measured how many cycles the battery can last before reaching the end of life (EoL), which is defined as a state in which the battery's capacity is 70% of its initial capacity.

The table below shows that the lifetime is most favorably affected if the batteries are not charged to more than 70% SoC.

Right now they are Li-ion batteries the most current, as they have the best specific energy density. There are four main designs of cells, which are shown in the figure. These are cylindrical cells, button cells, cells in a rigid plastic case (use: electric cars, etc.) and cells in a soft plastic case/bag (use: phones, laptops, etc.).