There are three main types of lithium-ion batteries (li-ion): cylindrical cells, prismatic cells, and pouch cells. In the EV industry, the most promising developments revolve around cylindrical and prismatic cells. While the cylindrical battery format has been the most popular in recent years, several factors suggest that prismatic cells may take over.
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Because Laserax provides laser solutions for battery manufacturing, we are watching these developments closely. Before we go over what’s coming, let’s do a quick overview of the two types of batteries.
A prismatic cell is a cell whose chemistry is enclosed in a rigid casing. Its rectangular shape allows efficiently stacking multiple units in a battery module. There are two types of prismatic cells: the electrode sheets inside the casing (anode, separator, cathode) are either stacked or rolled and flattened.
For the same volume, stacked prismatic cells can release more energy at once, offering better performance, whereas flattened prismatic cells contain more energy, offering more durability.
Prismatic cells are mainly used in energy storage systems and electric vehicles. Their larger size makes them bad candidates for smaller devices like e-bikes and cellphones. Therefore, they are better suited for energy-intensive applications.
A cylindrical cell is a cell enclosed in a rigid cylinder can. Cylindrical cells are small and round, making it possible to stack them in devices of all sizes. Unlike other battery formats, their shape prevents swelling, an undesired phenomenon in batteries where gasses accumulate in the casing.
Cylindrical cells were first used in laptops, which contained between three and nine cells. They then gained in popularity when Tesla used them in its first electric vehicles (the Roadster and the Model S), which contained between 6,000 and 9,000 cells.
Cylindrical cells are also used in e-bikes, medical devices, and satellites. They are also essential in space exploration because of their shape; other cell formats would be deformed by the atmospheric pressure. The last Rover sent on Mars, for example, operates using cylindrical cells. The Formula E high-performance electric race cars use the exact same cells as the rover in their battery.
Shape is not the only thing that differentiates prismatic and cylindrical cells. Other important differences include their size, the number of electrical connections, and their power output.
Prismatic cells are much larger than cylindrical cells and hence contain more energy per cell. To give a rough idea of the difference, a single prismatic cell can contain the same amount of energy as 20 to 100 cylindrical cells. The smaller size of cylindrical cells means they can be used for applications that require less power. As a result, they are used for a wider range of applications.
Because prismatic cells are larger than cylindrical cells, fewer cells are needed to achieve the same amount of energy. This means that for the same volume, batteries that use prismatic cells have fewer electrical connections that need to be welded. This is a major advantage for prismatic cells because there are fewer opportunities for manufacturing defects.
Cylindrical cells may store less energy than prismatic cells, but they have more power. This means that cylindrical cells can discharge their energy faster than prismatic cells. The reason is that they have more connections per amp-hour (Ah). As a result, cylindrical cells are ideal for high-performance applications whereas prismatic cells are ideal to optimize energy efficiency.
Example of high-performance battery applications include Formula E race cars and the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars. Both require extreme performances in extreme environments.
The EV industry evolves quickly, and it’s uncertain whether prismatic cells or cylindrical cells will prevail. At the moment, cylindrical cells are more widespread in the EV industry, but there are reasons to think prismatic cells will gain in popularity.
First, prismatic cells offer an opportunity to drive down costs by diminishing the number of manufacturing steps. Their format makes it possible to manufacture larger cells, which reduces the number of electrical connections that need to be cleaned and welded.
Prismatic batteries are also the ideal format for the lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, a mix of materials that are cheaper and more accessible. Unlike other chemistries, LFP batteries use resources that are everywhere on the planet. They do not require rare and expensive materials like nickel and cobalt that drive the cost of other cell types upward.
There are strong signals that LFP prismatic cells are emerging. In Asia, EV manufacturers already use LiFePO4 batteries, a type of LFP battery in the prismatic format. Tesla also stated that it has begun using prismatic batteries manufactured in China for the standard range versions of its cars.
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The LFP chemistry has important downsides, however. For one, it contains less energy than other chemistries currently in use and, as such, can’t be used for high-performance vehicles like Formula 1 electric cars. In addition, battery management systems (BMS) have a hard time predicting the battery’s charge level.
You can watch this video to learn more about the LFP chemistry and why it is gaining in popularity.
When it comes to battery pack production demand, energy storage systems (ESS) are just as important as electric vehicles. ESSs are already using prismatic cells and it is very likely that they will keep using them. Prismatic cells have a longer cycle life, are less dangerous, and come at a low cost compared to cylindrical cells.
With its tabless cell design, high energy density, and low manufacturing cost, Tesla’s cylindrical cell is probably the most noteworthy battery cell at the moment. But recently, Elon Musk has talked about the advantages of prismatic cells, and Tesla has begun using them in certain car models.
The cylindrical cells haven’t been replaced by prismatic cells yet, but Tesla’s next move will be telling of what the future holds. Will they replace the ’s Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum oxide (NCA) chemistry with the LFP chemistry? If so, will they switch to prismatic cells, the preferred format for this chemistry? With the increased cost of raw materials around the world, it is a strong possibility.
Various shapes and sizes of lithium-ion batteries cater to different applications, and two contenders have been in the spotlight: prismatic and cylindrical batteries. Let’s explore these powerhouses and understand why the Prismatic Batteries might be ready to steal the show.
Prismatic batteries come in rigid shells with a rectangular shape, allowing them to be stacked efficiently in battery modules. There are two types of prismatic batteries: stacked and flat. Stacked prismatic batteries deliver a powerful energy burst, perfect for high-performance applications. On the other hand, flat prismatic batteries focus on energy density, providing long-lasting durability. These batteries are commonly used in energy storage systems and electric vehicles due to their larger size and capacity, making them less suitable for smaller devices such as mobile phones.
Cylindrical batteries, as their name implies, come in cylindrical casings. Their compact and rounded design enables easy fitting into devices of different sizes. One of their key benefits is their ability to prevent expansion, a common problem in batteries that leads to gas buildup inside the casing. These versatile power sources initially gained recognition in laptops and have since become widely used in electric vehicles, electric bicycles, medical equipment, and space exploration. Their ability to withstand atmospheric pressure variations makes them essential for missions like those involving Mars rovers.
The electric vehicle industry, known for its rapid evolution, poses an intriguing question: will prismatic batteries eventually surpass cylindrical ones? Currently, cylindrical batteries dominate the sector, but several factors suggest that prismatic batteries might overthrow them.
Prismatic batteries offer cost-saving opportunities by streamlining manufacturing processes. Their larger size allows for the production of bigger batteries, reducing the number of electrical connections that need welding. Furthermore, prismatic batteries are a perfect match for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, known for its affordability and accessibility.
Unlike other chemistries, LFP batteries use easily available materials, eliminating the need for expensive rare materials like nickel and cobalt.
The rise of LFP prismatic cells is already evident, with Asian electric vehicle manufacturers adopting prismatic LFP batteries.
However, LFP chemistry has its limitations, including lower energy storage capacity, making it unsuitable for high-performance applications. Additionally, battery management systems may face challenges in accurately predicting charge levels.
The demand for battery packs goes beyond electric vehicles, with energy storage systems (ESS) playing a crucial role. Prismatic batteries are already preferred in ESS applications due to their longer cycle life, reduced risks, and lower costs compared to cylindrical batteries.
Tesla’s cylindrical cells have gained considerable attention for their compact design, high energy density, and cost efficiency. While prismatic batteries have not yet replaced them, Tesla’s future decisions could tip the scales.
Will Tesla transition to LFP chemistry and embrace prismatic batteries? The answer could have a significant impact on the battery landscape, especially with the rising global raw material costs.
The stage is set for an intriguing battle between prismatic and cylindrical batteries, and only time will reveal the winner in this electrifying competition.
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