There are many types of car batteries available in Nigeria. There are more than 7 types, and each one is best suited for a price range and type of car. In this article, we have highlighted the various types of car batteries available in the Nigerian market.
Classification of Car Batteries
Before we start talking about the types of car batteries available in Nigeria, it’s important to note that not all of them fall under the same category.
Car batteries can be classified based on a few factors:
- Based on the type of electrolyte used in its chemical cell
- Based on maintenance, state of electrolyte and design
- Based on the charge and discharge cycle of the battery
Types Of Car Batteries Based on the Type of Electrolyte
#1. Lead-Acid Batteries
Being the first type of rechargeable battery to be ever made, lead-acid batteries are very common in the Nigerian market.
Although most lead-acid batteries don’t last very long, they are still available in the Nigerian market due to many reasons. They meet the power requirements of most cars sold in Nigeria.
Lead-acid batteries are used in Starting, Lighting, and Ignition (SLI) batteries. They’re not expensive, which is why they’re used in starter motors.
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#2. Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) Batteries
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are mostly used in hybrid and electric cars. A Li-Ion battery can store more energy in its chemical cell than a lead-acid battery, while also charging at a faster rate.
Lithium-ion batteries cost more than lead-acid batteries in the Nigerian market. This isn’t so hard to see, as they last longer, charge faster and have stronger electrolytes.
A lithium-ion battery lasts between 5 to 8 years on average, but it can last longer if used in good conditions.
#3. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries are usually used in hybrid and electric vehicles, as they’re more recent technology. They have a prolonged lifespan than lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries.
However, they’re not usually used compared to lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. This is because of NiMH batteries:
- Generate larger amounts of heat
- They have a high self-discharge rate
- They are more expensive than lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries
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Types Of Car Batteries Based on Maintenance, State of Electrolyte and Design
#4. Flooded Lead Acid Battery (Wet Cell)
A flooded lead-acid battery is also known as a wet cell. This means that it has to be in liquid form before its electrons can flow.
As a result, you must recharge it with water at intervals. Also, you have to be careful when moving it, as its contents can spill or leak out.
The flooded lead-acid battery (FLA) is the oldest type of car battery. It is not expensive in Nigeria, but it has a disadvantage. It can only last for a short time, ranging from 3 to 13 months.
FLA batteries provide just enough electricity needed to boost start and ignite your car engine. They have around 30,000 engine cranks.
They can also power some of your car accessories, such as headlights, music players, radios, smartphones and a few other in-vehicle attachments.
#5. Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB)
Just like flooded lead-acid batteries, enhanced flooded batteries have a liquid electrolyte. However, they’re manufactured to last longer and perform better.
Unlike flooded batteries, EFB has a sealed container. That means the contents can’t spill out. Their lifecycle is around 85,000 engine cranks, which is more than twice of normal flooded batteries.
#6. Gel Cell Battery (Dry Cell)
A gel automotive battery is similar to EFB and flooded batteries. The main differences are in the electrolyte and packaging.
Flooded batteries have a liquid electrolyte. Gel batteries have silica added to the electrolyte solution. This makes the electrolyte assume a gel-like form, instead of being plain liquid.
Gel car batteries are sealed and valve-regulated. Since they have a gel form, they’re more resistant to vibration and shock. As a result, they can last between 2 to 5 years.
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#7. Absorbent Glass Mat Battery (AGM)
Absorbent Glass Mat Batteries have the properties of both wet and dry cell batteries. They have a liquid electrolyte, but their container is completely sealed.
AGM batteries have better performance than wet-cell and dry-cell batteries combined. Here are other reasons why AGM batteries are better for modern cars:
- Manufactured to supply the required electrical power in modern cars
- AGM batteries won’t leak, even if punctured
- They can be used underwater
- Can last between 4 to 7 years
- Good for braking energy recovery
AGM batteries have a faster charging rate than most other types. They can charge up to fast times faster and their life cycle is about 3 times more.
Types Of Car Batteries Based on the Battery’s Charge and Discharge Cycle
Before we proceed, let’s explain what a battery’s cycle means. If you exhaust your car battery to 0% and then recharge it to 100%, you have completed one cycle.
Your car battery’s cycle is simply the number of discharges and recharges it can handle before its chemical components wear out.
#8. Shallow Cycle Battery
These types of automotive batteries are the ones we have in our petrol cars in Nigeria. They’re not designed to last for long periods as they have short lifespans.
#9. Deep Cycle Battery
Deep cycle batteries are the type we have in our hybrid and electric cars. They have a cycle life of up to 1,000, and even more. That means you can drain them and recharge them many times before they start to weaken.
Wrapping Up: Types of Car Batteries Available in Nigeria
A car battery should not be judged based on its small size. No matter how much fuel your car can store, if your battery can’t ignite the engine, you’re going nowhere.
These batteries also power the electrical components in your car, including the headlights, music player, wipers, radio, Bluetooth and USB ports, amongst others.
There are many types of car batteries being sold in Nigeria. They have different prices, properties and suitability. We have classified them based on their electrolytes, maintenance, designs and life cycles.
