Have you ever worried about the effects of cold weather on your lithium battery devices? Do lithium batteries really “hibernate” in low temperatures? This article will reveal the true performance of lithium batteries in freezing conditions and avoid potential risks. The latest research shows that low temperatures can cause lithium battery capacity to drop by up to 70%. Let’s learn how to protect your battery and extend its life.
Last updated: May 2025 | Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
When lithium batteries are exposed to cold temperatures, their performance is significantly affected. The electrolyte inside the battery becomes more viscous, causing the internal resistance to increase. This reduces the battery’s ability to effectively output power, resulting in a decrease in voltage and overall capacity.
Effects of different temperature ranges on battery performance:
| Temperature Range | Impact on Battery Performance |
|---|---|
| Above 32°F (0°C) | Optimal Performance |
| 0°F to 32°F (-17.8°C to 0°C) | Reduced Capacity; Operable but Less Efficient |
| Below 0°F (-17.8°C) | Increased Risk of Damage During Charging |
Risks of freezing lithium batteries
Freezing temperatures can have several detrimental effects on lithium batteries:
- Lithium plating: When charging at low temperatures, lithium ions may attach to the anode rather than embedding into it, reducing the number of ions available to produce current and causing permanent capacity loss.
- Decreased electrolyte conductivity: The viscosity of the electrolyte increases, hindering the movement of ions and slowing down the chemical reaction, resulting in decreased battery performance.
- Increased internal resistance: Higher internal resistance results in less efficient current delivery and reduced overall performance.
- Thermal runaway risk: When charged below freezing, the battery may become unstable and risk thermal runaway when heated up.
How to prevent lithium battery freezing or mitigate its effects
Avoid low temperature charging: Try to avoid charging lithium batteries in environments below 0°C (32°F). If charging is necessary, preheat the battery to a higher temperature first.
Store in a warm environment: Store the device or battery in a warm environment and avoid prolonged exposure to cold conditions. For example, parking an electric car in a garage during the winter.
Use a battery heater: Consider using a battery heater to maintain battery temperature, especially in extremely cold environments.
Pay attention to the battery level: Do not leave the battery at low power for a long time in a cold environment. Try to maintain a certain level of power to reduce damage caused by low temperatures.
Choose batteries with good low-temperature performance: Some new lithium-ion batteries have better low-temperature performance. For example, the lithium-ion battery developed by Australia’s Talga Resources can achieve 100% capacity and 100% cycle efficiency under freezing conditions of 0°C.
Protective measures: If you need to use the device in a cold environment, consider using an insulating case or other protective measures to reduce the time the battery is exposed to cold temperatures. Learn more about scientific charging methods.
Does cryotherapy really work?
There is a saying on the Internet that freezing a mobile phone battery in a refrigerator can extend its use time. This method may be effective in the short term because low temperature will change the electrolyte inside the battery and reduce leakage current. But in the long run, freezing will damage the internal structure of the battery and accelerate battery loss. There are other versions of mobile phone battery repair methods, such as using an eraser to wipe the metal contact surface between the battery and the phone, but this only helps the charging condition and power endurance, and cannot really repair the battery.
Conclusion
Low temperatures can have an adverse effect on the performance of lithium batteries, including decreased capacity, increased internal resistance, and increased charging risk. These effects can be mitigated by taking appropriate precautions, such as avoiding low-temperature charging, storing batteries in a warm environment, and using battery heaters. More importantly, developing good usage habits or replacing new batteries is the fundamental way to extend battery life.
FAQs
Slowly return the battery to room temperature. Do not charge immediately. Do not use the battery if it shows signs of damage, such as swelling, leakage, etc.
It is best to avoid it. If storage is necessary, make sure the battery has a certain charge and take protective measures.
This is not recommended. Charging at low temperatures increases the risk of lithium plating and thermal runaway.
