Technical comparison and application scenario analysis of emergency starter of supercapacitor and lithium battery

With the complexity of automotive electronic systems, the automotive jump starter market shows a trend of technological differentiation. Based on the 2023 emergency power white paper data of China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), this paper compares and analyzes the core parameters and application scenarios of the two mainstream technologies of supercapacitor and lithium battery.

The super capacitor jump starter: the low-temperature savior of instant high current

• Technical principle

The double electric layer energy storage mechanism (EDLC) is used to achieve physical charge storage through activated carbon electrodes, and its instantaneous discharge capacity can reach 10-20 times that of conventional batteries. The Ningde Times 2022 patent (CN114530630A) shows that the technology has achieved 2000A peak current output.

• Performance advantage

Charge and discharge efficiency: at -40℃ low temperature environment still maintains more than 95% capacity (2021 extreme environment test data of the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Cycle life: German BMZ Group laboratory verification, capacity attenuation after 50,000 cycles < 10%

Safety features: Fully physical energy storage mechanism, eliminate the risk of lithium electric heating runaway (UL1642 safety certification standard)

• Application limitation

The energy density is only 3-10Wh/kg (about 1/10 of lithium batteries), which is not suitable for continuous power supply scenarios

Lithium battery Jump Starter: multi-scenario solution with high energy density

• Technological evolution

21700 high rate battery cell (Tesla homology technology), energy density exceeded 300Wh/kg, support PD3.0 fast charge protocol

• Performance parameter

Starting capacity: According to the national standard GB/T 31485, 80% of the nominal capacity should be maintained at -20 ° C 

Cycle characteristics: CATL's latest lithium iron phosphate technology achieves a capacity retention rate of ≥80%

after 2000 cycles Expanded features: Integrated wireless charging module, support 15W mobile phone reverse charging (Xiaomi emergency power Pro technical manual)

• Use restriction

When the current is discharged continuously, the internal temperature may rise to more than 60℃ (Thermal imaging Test Report of Tsinghua Su Research Institute)

Scenario-based purchase suggestions

Industry development trend

According to the research data of high-tech lithium battery (GGII), the domestic automotive jump starter market in 2023

• The penetration rate of ultracapacitors in commercial vehicles reaches 38% 
• Lithium battery products accounted for 72% of the C-end market share, mainly concentrated in self-driving tour groups
• Byd and other enterprises have launched super capacitance-lithium battery Hybrid Energy Storage system (patent No. WO2023178799A1)

Conclusion

In the context of accelerating the iteration of new energy technologies, it is recommended that consumers make rational choices according to regional climate, frequency of use and other factors. It is worth noting that the China Institute of Electronic Technology Standardization is developing the "Classification Standard for emergency start power Supply for Vehicles", which will provide more authoritative purchase guidance for the industry.