A lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4 or LFP) have been known since 1996. This battery chemistry offers clear advantages. LiFePO4 cells are significantly safer than LiCoO2 cells and compared to lead batteries we see that with a LiFePO4 battery more than 100% of the nominal capacity can be used.
LiFePO4 batteries have different characteristics which will be explained here.
No maintenance: LiFePO4 batteries require no maintenance. The ‘Battery Management System’ ensures that all cells are charged in a balanced manner. They can be mounted in any position and there is no need to ventilate the room.
100% deep discharge: Unlike conventional lead-acid batteries, LiFePO4 cells may be 100% fully discharged. Meanwhile, they certainly achieve 5x as many cycles as lead acid batteries. In addition, these types of batteries have a very high energy density and do not contain any toxic, heavy metals. This makes them a lot more environmentally friendly than NiCad and lead-acid batteries. In addition, these batteries are lightweight, which is a big advantage compared to lead batteries.
Good performance with cold: LiFePO4 batteries, like any battery, lose capacity in cold environments. However, the loss in these variants is minimal. At a temperature of -20˚C they still have a capacity of 80%. For comparison, a good AGM lead battery delivers only 30%. LiFePO4 batteries can be used in a temperature range of -45°C to +70°C.
Non-combustible: A LiFePO4 battery is non-flammable in case of damage or improper handling during charging and discharging. They can withstand high temperatures without disintegrating or splashing.
Longer life span: The phosphate technique offers a longer life span. LiFePO4 cells are therefore very resistant to extreme ambient temperatures. A standard lead battery loses its capacity below freezing point and at high temperatures the life span decreases considerably.
Advantages of LiFePO4 batteries
Disadvantages of LiFePO4 batteries
Thanks to the many advantages of lithium iron phosphate, LiFePO4 cells are excellent for professional solutions. Elfa therefore offers batteries from various brands. A few LiFePO4 batteries from Elfa’s range are explained in more detail.
Power Sonic is a prominent brand in the production of various types of batteries and accumulators, including lithium iron phosphate batteries. The company has more than 50 years of experience in the industry and has established itself as a reliable and quality supplier of power solutions. Moreover, many of their products are certified to international standards, such as ISO 9001.
Power Sonic PSL-SC-12500
The Power Sonic PSL-SC battery is a lithium iron phosphate battery that features an intelligent battery management system (BMS). This BMS monitors and reacts to multiple voltage, current and temperature events to maximise performance, battery life and safety.
In addition, this battery from Power Sonic lasts longer, weighs less and charges faster than comparable lead-acid batteries. PSL-SC batteries can be configured in series or parallel (depending on the model).
Voltium Energy® is a Dutch company with more than 20 years of experience in the battery industry. Based on this experience, Voltium Energy started developing LiFePO4 batteries for the industrial and leisure market.
The goal of Voltium Energy is to develop safe and high-quality batteries with a long-life span, which can be used for various applications.
Voltium Energy 12.8V is a LiFePO4 battery
The Voltium Energy 12.8V is a LiFePO4 battery with a built-in SMART BMS. The SMART BMS has a number of important functions such as; cell balancing, temperature protection, over-discharge protection, deep discharge protection, short-circuit protection and Bluetooth® monitoring.
The 12.8V 9Ah LiFePO4 battery can be used in the following industries:
| Subject | Amount |
| Nominal Voltage | 12,8V (4S) |
| Rated Capacity (CC 0.2C to 10V) | 9Ah |
| Rated Energy | 115,2Wh |
| Internal Impedance | ≤20mΩ |
| Connection type | F2 snelon |
| Lifespan (@DOD 100% at 1C and ±25°C) | > 3000 |
| Lifespan (@DOD 100% at 0,2C and ±25°C) | > 6000 |
| Connection options | 4 in serie OR 4 in parallel |
| Communication | Bluetooth® |
Lithium Werks is a fast-growing lithium iron phosphate battery manufacturing company, with branches in the US and the Netherlands. They produce cell batteries, customised battery packs and battery management systems for various markets, such as commercial shipping and the transportation industry.
Lithium Werks’ batteries deliver high power thanks to the use of a patented Nanophosphate® technology.
The 18650 battery offers high power, consistent output and excellent longevity. Thanks to Nanophosphate® technology, the batteries charge quickly and deliver superior cost performance. The cells are suitable for various purposes and can be used in customised solutions.
The 26650 battery is larger than the 18650 and has therefore a larger capacity. With all the advantages of Nanophosphate®, the 26650 is suitable for various purposes and customised solutions.
See the table below for more mutual differences between the 18650 and 26650.
| Subject | 18650 Power battery | 26650 Power battery |
| Nominal voltage Nominal capacity Nominal energy Impedance Diameter Length |
3,3 V 1,2 Ah 3,96 Wh <16 mΩ Ø18,5 cm 64,95 cm |
3,3 V 2,6 Ah 8,58 Wh <10 mΩ Ø25,96 cm 65,15 cm |
Besides lithium iron phosphate batteries, Elfa offers numerous other types of batteries and accumulators for professional use. Feel free to take a closer look at our product range!
Wondering if lithium iron phosphate batteries are interesting for you? We are happy to help you find a suitable solution. With over 100 years of experience, we are confident that our experts can help you further!
Eric van de Laar
Sales & Business Unit Manager
Do you have a question?
Feel free to email or call me!
At Elfa, battery packs can also be made to measure. In this way we can offer a specific solution that the customer is looking for.
There is a chance that standard batteries and accumulators do not exactly meet your needs. In our own assembly department, everything is made specifically to order. We take into account dimensions, voltage, capacity, connector and seal. Feel free to contact us for more information!
Amsterdam’s canals are always very busy. Thousands of boats belonging to residents, visitors and tourists sail there every day. To maintain safety and prevent inconvenience, the boat movements in the canals are monitored. The organisation Portpay is responsible for this.
Portpay sensor uses LiFePO4 batteries
Portpay uses computers with Linux software and cameras for data collection. These are directed at important intersections along the canals, enabling them to collect all relevant data. The information obtained is then sent to the central database.
To ensure that the system functions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, lithium iron phosphate battery technology was chosen.
Elfa has made a stainless steel housing with a LiFePO4 battery in it that meets the customer’s requirements. During the summer nights the batteries are charged for 7 hours and then operate (discharge) for 17 hours during the day.
Because of their high energy density and fast charging time, they are ideal for Portpay’s smart monitoring system.
In September 2023, Elfa started a collaboration with Tech Innovators BV to convert diesel-powered industrial tools to electric propulsion. Elfa supplied modular LiFePO4 battery modules that integrated seamlessly with existing systems, leading to an efficient transition. This innovation resulted in:
The successful collaboration positions Tech Innovators BV as a leader in sustainable technology, with plans to apply these solutions more widely and inspire other industries with their sustainable approach.
Would you like more information about Lithium iron phosphate (LifePO4) battery? In that case contact us. The easiest way is to fill in the contact form below. We will then contact you.
Elfa Amsterdam
Madridstraat 5-7
1175 RK Amsterdam (Lijnden)
+31 (0)20 643 69 72
[email protected]
Elfa Erp
Molentiend 10
5469 EK Erp, (Noord-Brabant)
+31 (0)413 212 222
[email protected]
