Battery Both are lithium batteries, and they are not interchangeable. They have different cell voltages, so they need different cell counts, different BMS settings and different chargers. This is how they compare.
| LiFePO4 (LFP) | Lithium-ion (NMC, such as 18650) | |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal cell voltage | 3.2V | 3.6–3.7V |
| Full-charge voltage | 3.65V | 4.2V |
| Cells for a 12V pack | 4 in series | 3 in series |
| Cells for a 48V pack | 16 in series | 13 in series |
| Cycle life | Typically thousands of cycles | Typically hundreds to about a thousand |
| Weight for the same energy | Heavier | Lighter |
| Heat tolerance | More stable | Needs more care |
| Usual formats | Large prismatic (100–314Ah), cylindrical 15–25Ah | Small cylindrical 18650 |
For solar storage and UPS backup: LiFePO4
A home battery is charged and discharged every day and sits in one place, so cycle life and stability matter more than weight. Large prismatic LiFePO4 cells are the usual choice: the EVE 100Ah, AJT 100Ah and EVE MB31 314Ah. Four make 12V, eight make 24V, sixteen make 48V.
For e-bikes and scooters: either, by weight and budget
Lithium-ion packs are lighter for the same range, which is why many 48V bikes use 13S lithium-ion. LiFePO4 packs built from cylindrical cells such as the Gotion 15Ah or F40160HC 25Ah are heavier and last through more charge cycles.
For small electronics, lights and DIY packs: 18650 lithium-ion
The 18650 cell is compact and works in 3S and 4S packs with a small lithium-ion BMS.
The charger has to match
This is where mistakes get expensive. A charger is set for one full-charge voltage:
- 54.6V suits a 13S lithium-ion (48V) pack.
- 58.4V suits a 16S LiFePO4 (48V) pack.
- 73V suits a 20S LiFePO4 (60V) pack.
- 87.6V suits a 24S LiFePO4 (72V) pack.
Putting a lithium-ion pack on a higher LiFePO4 setting overcharges it. Check the label on your battery, or send us a photo on WhatsApp before you buy a charger.
Next: how many cells you need for a 12V, 24V or 48V battery.