Battery life – a complete guide to factors, optimisation and the future of power supply

Last updated: 2 March 2025

In today’s electronics-driven world, battery life has become one of the most important parameters affecting our daily lives, industrial activities and the state of the environment. Whether we are talking about a smartphone, an electric car or an energy storage unit – the longevity of power sources has a direct impact on our experience, costs and carbon footprint.

In this comprehensive guide, we look at all aspects of battery life – from basic definitions, to factors affecting degradation, to the latest technologies to extend battery life. Whether you’re an average user or an industry specialist, you’ll find the knowledge to help you better understand and optimise the use of batteries in your environment.

What is battery life and why is it so important?

Battery life is the period during which a cell can store and deliver energy efficiently. It is usually measured in:

• Number of complete charge and discharge cycles
• Years of use
• Percentage of retained nominal capacity

The importance of this parameter can hardly be overestimated. In the individual context, a longer service life means less frequent replacement of equipment and lower operating costs. For industry, it translates into competitive products and cost-effective investments in energy storage systems. From an environmental perspective, it means less consumption of raw materials and less waste going into the environment.

Battery types and their lifetime

Alkaline batteries – simple design, limited life

Alkaline batteries, the most popular disposable power source, are characterised by:

• Lifespan: 3-5 years storage
• Lack of rechargeability (in most cases)
• Relatively low price

Their main advantage is their accessibility and ease of use, but they cannot compete with rechargeable solutions from a lifetime perspective.

Lithium-ion batteries – the standard in modern electronics

Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionised portable electronics and are now the standard in:

• Smartphones and tablets
• Laptops
• Electric vehicles
• Portable medical devices

Their typical service life is 300-1000 full charge cycles or approximately 2-5 years of use, depending on the design and operating conditions.

Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries – special applications

NiMH cells, although inferior in popularity to lithium-ion cells, are still used in:

• Cameras
• Toys
• Wireless tools
• Hybrid electric vehicles (especially older models)

They are characterised by a service life of 500-1,000 cycles when properly operated.

Lead-acid batteries – the automotive classic

The oldest type of rechargeable battery, still widely used in:

• Internal combustion vehicles (starter batteries)
• UPS systems
• Emergency power supply

Their lifespan is typically 3-5 years or 200-300 full discharge cycles.

Key factors influencing battery life

Number of charge and discharge cycles

Every rechargeable battery has a certain number of cycles after which its capacity falls below an acceptable level (usually 80% of its nominal capacity). This parameter is often quoted by manufacturers as a key indicator of product longevity.

Good to know: Partial charge cycles (e.g. 30% to 80%) are usually less damaging than full cycles (0-100%), especially for lithium-ion batteries.

Operating and storage temperature


Temperature is among the most important factors affecting battery life. Both too high and too low temperatures accelerate degradation processes:

• High temperatures (above 35°C) accelerate chemical reactions leading to electrolyte and electrode degradation
• Low temperatures (below 0°C) increase the internal resistance of the battery and can cause metallic precipitates (known as plating) on the anode

The optimum temperature range for most lithium-ion batteries is 15-25°C during both operation and storage.

Quality of components and production process

Not all batteries are created equal. Even within the same cell type, differences in:

• Purity of electrode materials
• Electrolyte composition
• Precision of the production process
• Quality control systems

can lead to significant differences in service life. Therefore, batteries from reputable manufacturers often offer longer life despite similar technical specifications.

Stages of natural battery ageing

Chemical degradation of electrodes

As the battery is used, irreversible chemical processes occur in the battery leading to degradation of the electrode materials:

• At the anode (usually graphite), the structure breaks down and the lithium ion intercalation sites are lost
• In the cathode, there is a destabilisation of the crystal structure and loss of active material

Loss of nominal capacity

The most noticeable effect of battery ageing is the gradual loss of nominal capacity. This process:

• It is relatively slow at first
• Accelerates beyond a certain number of cycles
• It ends when the so-called limiting capacity is reached (usually 70-80% of the initial capacity)

Increasing internal resistance

As the battery ages, its internal resistance increases, leading to:

• Increased energy loss in the form of heat during charging and discharging
• Drop in the maximum current that the battery can deliver
• Higher voltage drops under load

Good practices to extend battery life

Avoiding extreme temperatures

To maximise battery life:

• Do not leave devices in the car on hot or cold days
• Avoid using and charging devices at temperatures above 35°C
• Allow the device to reach room temperature before recharging if it has been exposed to extreme temperatures
• Use cases and covers that do not block heat dissipation

Regular updates to the battery management software

Modern electronic devices use advanced battery management algorithms that:

• Optimise charge cycles
• Monitor cell temperatures
• Adjust voltage and current
• Balance the load of individual cells in battery packs

Regular software updates can significantly improve the efficiency of these systems and thus extend battery life.

Use of original chargers and accessories

Original or certified accessories provide:

• Suitable charging parameters
• Voltage and current stability
• Protection against overcharging and overheating
• Compatibility with device battery management systems

Battery life in various devices

Smartphones and laptops – everyday challenges

Mobile devices pose the greatest challenge to battery technology due to:

• Intensive charging cycles (often daily)
• Limited space for cooling systems
• High energy density requirements
• The drive for ever thinner devices at the expense of battery capacity

Typical lifetime: 2-3 years or 500-800 charge cycles

Electric vehicles – the battery as the heart of the system

In electric vehicles, the battery is not only the power source but also the most costly component of the design. That is why manufacturers use advanced solutions to extend its life:

• Advanced thermoregulation systems (liquid cooling)
• Precise management of the state of charge of individual cells
• Limitation of available capacity (safety buffer)
• Battery warranties of up to 8-10 years or 160,000 km

Energy storage systems – long-term efficiency

Stationary energy storage systems used in:

• Photovoltaic installations
• Energy storage facilities for companies
• Power grid stabilisation systems

are designed for a long service life, often exceeding 10-15 years or 6000+ charge cycles.

Technological innovations to extend battery life

New cathode and anode materials

Research into new electrode materials focuses on:

• Nickel-richcathodes (NMC 811, NCA)
• Silicon graphiteanodes to increase capacity
• Protective coatings to prevent degradation
• Doping of electrodes with structure-stabilising elements

Advanced battery management systems (BMS)

Modern BMSs use:

• Machine learning to predict degradation
• Digital twins modelling battery behaviour
• Adaptive charging algorithms adapted to the state of the battery
• Precise monitoring of individual cells

Fast charging technologies and cell degradation

The latest fast-charging technologies attempt to offset this inconvenience by:

• Variable current profiles adapted to the state of charge
• Periodic slowing down of the charging rate for temperature stabilisation
• Advanced predictive algorithms to optimise parameters

Solid-state batteries – hope for a revolution

Solid-state batteries represent the most promising technology of the future, offering:

• 2-3x longer lifetime compared to conventional lithium-ion cells
• Higher energy density
• Improved resistance to high temperatures
• Increased safety (no flammable electrolyte)

The ecological dimension of battery life

Longer life vs. carbon footprint

The production of batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, involves significant CO₂ emissions and the extraction of scarce raw materials. Extending the life span by 50% can reduce the overall environmental impact by 30-40% in a life-cycle perspective.

Battery recycling – current technologies and challenges

Battery recycling technologies are constantly evolving, but still face many challenges:

• Diversified cell design and chemistry
• High cost of material recovery processes
• Logistics of waste battery collection
• Recovery efficiency of critical elements (lithium, cobalt)

Legislation to promote sustainability

In recent years, we have seen an increase in regulation to promote longer battery life:

• European Union introduces requirements for minimum number of charging cycles
• The right to repair makes it easier to replace batteries in electronic devices
• Extended producer responsibility schemes promote recycling and eco-design
• Battery healthinformation requirements

Cost and cost-effectiveness versus battery life

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

When choosing devices with batteries, it is worth considering the total cost of ownership, which includes:

• Purchase price
• Electricity costs associated with charging
• Expected service life
• Cost of possible battery replacement
• End-of-life resale value

Servicing and replacement – when is it worthwhile?

The decision to replace the battery in an older device should take into account:

• Replacement cost in relation to the value of the equipment
• Availability of original parts or high quality replacements
• Expected life of the device
• Impact of battery status on overall device functionality

The future of battery life – trends and forecasts

Intelligent predictive diagnostics

Developments in AI technology are enabling increasingly accurate predictions of battery life through:

• Analysis of usage patterns
• Real-time monitoring of electrical parameters
• Modelling degradation processes
• Proactive adjustment of charging parameters

Extended life batteries for autonomous vehicles

Autonomous vehicles pose new challenges for battery technology:

• Need for continuous operation of navigation and communication systems
• Higher vehicle utilisation (sharing)
• Need for longevity without human supervision
• Integration with wireless charging systems

The role of AI in battery lifecycle management

Artificial intelligence can revolutionise battery lifecycle management by:

• Personalisation of charging profiles to individual usage patterns
• Optimising the use of batteries in power grids
• Predicting failures and planning preventive replacement
• Adapting performance to changing working conditions

Summary

Battery life is a key parameter, influencing our experience with technology, the economics of device operation and the state of the environment. The main factors determining cell life are:

• Operating temperature – maintained within an optimum range of 15-25°C
• Depth of discharge – avoiding full cycles 0-100%
• Quality components – selection of products from reputable manufacturers
• Charging practices – use of appropriate chargers and current profiles

The future of battery technology promises to be promising, with new materials and designs potentially doubling or even tripling current cell life. At the same time, battery management systems based on artificial intelligence will make it possible to make better use of available capacity and predict when replacement is necessary.

Caring for batteries is not only a matter of convenience, but also a matter of responsibility for the environment and natural resources. Every extra year of battery use is a tangible benefit for the entire ecosystem.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

What shortens the battery life of your phone the most?

The main factors shortening the battery life of a smartphone are:

• High temperatures – especially during charging or intensive use
• Frequent full charge cycles (0-100%)
• Use of non-original chargers with inappropriate characteristics
• Leaving the phone connected to the charger for a long time after it has reached 100%

Does fast charging harm the battery?

Yes, but with caveats. Fast charging generates more heat and can accelerate battery degradation, but modern battery management systems minimise these effects. Occasional use of fast charging should not significantly affect lifespan, while regular use can reduce it by 10-20% over a 2-3 year period.

Which batteries have the longest life expectancy?

Among the commonly available technologies, the longest-lasting are:

• Lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries – 2000-3000 cycles
• Lithium titanium (LTO) batteries – 5000-7000 cycles
• Special NiMH batteries for cyclic applications – 1000-2000 cycles

Does low temperature actually damage the battery?

Yes, but different from high. Low temperature:

• Temporarily reduces available capacity
• Slows down electrochemical reactions
• May lead to metallic precipitates on the anode

Unlike high temperature, which permanently accelerates chemical degradation, the effects of low temperature are often reversible once normal operating conditions are restored.

Is it better to charge the battery to 100% or 80%?

From a battery life perspective, charging to 80% is preferable. Maintaining a charge level between 20-80% can extend the total number of battery cycles by up to 200-300%. A full charge to 100% is only worth using in situations where we need maximum device life.