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Rechargeable battery / Battery pack

Also called accumulator. A rechargeable battery is an electricity storage device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Each storage has two electrodes (cathode and anode), which are surrounded by a conductive material, the electrolyte. The electrolyte can be liquid, solid or jellylike.

Most electric cars are equipped with lithium-ion batteries. These are characterised by high energy and power density.

Lifespan: The battery is currently the most expensive component in an electric car. Most automakers give an eight-year warranty on the battery. In order to increase the service life, drivers should avoid extreme states of charge. A state of charge between 20 and 80 percent is ideal. Heat and cold also damage the battery.

Future: Research is currently conducted in different areas. In solid-state batteries, for example, solid materials are used as electrolytes which could lead to higher energy density and lower production costs.

After being used in electric cars, batteries are often still employed as energy storage in private homes. When connected, they can even be used as large-scale storage. The recycling of materials is also possible but still very expensive.