Lithium Battery Cycle Life: What It Really Means
Lithium Battery Cycle Life: Reading Past the Marketing
Lithium battery cycle life is how many full charge-discharge cycles a cell delivers before it drops to ~80% capacity. LFP typically rates 2,000-6,000 cycles; NMC 1,000-2,000.
What Shortens Life
- Deeper discharge (100% DoD ages faster than 80%).
- High temperature operation.
- Chronic overcharge or high C-rate.
Cycle Life by Chemistry
| Chemistry | Cycles to 80% |
|---|---|
| LFP | 2,000-6,000 |
| NMC | 1,000-2,000 |
| LTO | 6,000-15,000 |
Ask any lithium battery manufacturer for cycle data at your real depth of discharge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cycle one full discharge?
A cycle is 100% of capacity through put; two 50% discharges equal one cycle.
How do I maximize life?
Keep DoD around 80%, avoid heat, and store at ~50% charge if idle.
Written by Karl at China Battery Technology. Request a quote.
