Lithium Battery Classification

In China, lithium batteries are primarily categorized by grade: Class A, Class B, and Class C. The distinction between Class A and Class B is crucial, differing not only in core performance but also directly impacting safety and application scenarios.

The following is a detailed comparative analysis:

-Class A lithium battery cells represent the highest quality standards in the industry, with key characteristics including:

1. Strict Production Standards

①Production is performed in strict accordance with customer specifications (capacity, dimensions, internal resistance, etc.), with all indicators meeting or exceeding national standards.

②To enhance competitiveness, some manufacturers even implement internal standards that are stricter than national standards.

2.High Performance

①High Capacity Retention: ≥85% capacity after 1000 charge/discharge cycles, with slow capacity degradation.

②Extremely low internal resistance (normally <100mΩ): High energy conversion efficiency, supporting high current discharges.

③Excellent Consistency: Parameters such as capacity and voltage within the same batch vary minimally, making them suitable for battery packs.

3.High Safety Assurance

①Passing over 17 safety tests, including puncture, crushing, and overcharge/over-discharge tests, while utilizing V0-rated flame-retardant materials.

②Eliminating the risk of leakage or short circuits, making it suitable for safety-critical applications such as electric vehicles and medical equipment.

4.Applications

High-end electronic products (mobile phones, laptops), original electric vehicle batteries, construction machinery, and industrial equipment.

-Class B lithium battery cells are considered "sub-standard" with certain defects:

1.Sub-standard Parameters

①At least one of the following: capacity, internal resistance, or dimensions, does not meet Class A standards (e.g., low capacity, high internal resistance).

②High defect rates: First-tier manufacturers have a Class B rate of approximately 2%, while second- and third-tier manufacturers can reach 5–10%.

2.Specific Defect Categories

①Appearance defects: Bumps and packaging flaws can lead to leakage or localized overheating with long-term use.

②Performance defects: including low capacity (insufficient active material), low voltage (micro-shorts leading to high self-discharge), and high internal resistance (wrinkled separators or insufficient electrolytes), which can affect battery pack consistency.

3.Source and Price

Some are manufacturing defects, while others are downgraded to Class B due to overstocked Class A inventory (3–6 months unsold). The price is only about 1/10 that of Class A, offering a significant cost advantage.

4. Application Risks

Suitable for low-end digital products with low performance requirements (such as cheap flashlights and toys), but there are safety risks such as bloating and premature failure.

The core difference between Class A and Class B lithium batteries. Are listed in the following table, which summarizes key differences:

Additional Notes

1.Relevance of Class C Cells

Class B cells may degrade to Class C cells after storage for more than 8 months, with only 50–60% of their capacity remaining. Also poses significant safety risks (e.g., bulging and leakage) and should be completely avoided.

2.Purchasing Recommendations

①For applications requiring high reliability (such as power batteries), must choose Class A and review the manufacturer's internal resistance and capacity test reports.

②For cost-sensitive applications with manageable risks (such as disposable equipment), Class B cells may be used with caution, but high-rate discharge scenarios should be avoided.

③For applications requiring long-term reliability and paramount safety, Class A cells are the one and only choice. While Class B cells are inexpensive, their potential safety risks and performance shortcomings make them suitable only for low-value, low-demand applications and products.

AOLITE solemnly promises and guarantees to exclusively use Class A cells in all its lithium-ion battery products and vehicles.