Battery chemistries

[LindsayNB]

I was just looking at battery chemistry characteristics on this wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rechargeable_battery

Am I correct that the LG Chem battery in the 2015 is Lithium Polymer versus Lithium Iron Phosphate in the 2014? If so, and the particular batteries conform to the ranges given, it seems like the loss in cycle life is quite substantial! Not what I would consider an improved product from the customer perspective.

 

[gra]

I was just looking at battery chemistry characteristics on this wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rechargeable_battery

Am I correct that the LG Chem battery in the 2015 is Lithium Polymer versus Lithium Iron Phosphate in the 2014? If so, and the particular batteries conform to the ranges given, it seems like the loss in cycle life is quite substantial! Not what I would consider an improved product from the customer perspective.

No, LG Chem uses LiMN2O4 chemistry. The battery in the 2014 Spark is by A123 and is LiFePO4. Each has advantages and disadvantages, but personally I prefer LiFePO4 for its better cycle life, heat tolerance and lowest risk of thermal runaway. LiMNO4 has higher specific energy/energy density and slightly lower thermal tolerance, but doesn't lose as much capacity in cold conditions. See

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/secondary_batteries

and

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/types_of_lithium_ion