The charging rate of lifepo4 battery is typically 1C (that is, 1 hour to charge 80%), while the maximum charging rate of lead-acid battery is only 0.2C (5 hours to charge 80%), and that of ternary lithium battery is 0.7C (1.4 hours). Taking a 100Ah battery for example. The lifepo4 battery can be charged with 80Ah of electricity in an hour at 1C charging (at the same time, lead-acid batteries can only be charged with 16Ah). In Tesla Megapack energy storage program, when charging the lifepo4 battery with a 150A current, it can be charged from 20% to 80% in 30 minutes (in the same conditions, ternary lithium batteries are 45 minutes).
In charging efficiency, lifepo4 battery has an energy conversion efficiency of up to 95% (90% for ternary lithium batteries and 75% for lead-acid batteries), meaning that for every 100Ah electricity charged, 95Ah is available for use (only 75Ah for lead-acid batteries). Fraunhofer Institute statistics in Germany in the year 2024 project that in photovoltaic systems, lifepo4 batteries achieve an average of 27% higher daily effective charging capacity compared to lead-acid batteries (calculated by 5 hours of sunshine peak). But if the charge voltage is over 14.6V (nominal voltage is 12.8V), its capacity fading rate will increase from 0.002% per time to 0.005% per time, and it must rely on precise regulation by BMS.
Its charge advantage in high-temperature environments is excellent. lifepo4 battery can still be charged at 0.8C at 45℃ (lead-acid batteries need to be reduced to 0.1C). Field tests at telecommunications base stations in the Saudi desert reveal that its summer average daily charging rate is 5.2 times that of lead-acid batteries. However, at low temperature (-20℃), the charging current has to be limited to 0.3C (0.05C for lead-acid batteries). For Canadian Arctic users, for instance, lifepo4 battery charge time at -30℃ was cut by 58% (from 10 hours to 4.2 hours) when compared to lead-acid batteries.
In terms of cost savings, lifepo4 battery fast charging reduces the runtime of diesel generators. Since the power supply alteration by the South African mining Group, the diesel usage decreased by 41% (the average daily operating hours were lowered from 8 hours to 3 hours), and the annual fuel cost saved €12,500. In China Tower’s 5G base station project, lifepo4 battery’s 30-minute quick charging function enables the energy storage system to charge and discharge 1.8 times on average per day (0.5 for lead-acid batteries), and brings an additional 23% to the power grid’s frequency regulation revenue.
From a technical constraint point of view, the voltage platform of lifepo4 batteries is relatively flat (2.5-3.65V/ cell), and the charging terminal requires a constant voltage stage (occupying 30% of the total time), while ternary lithium batteries’ voltage slope is evident, and the constant voltage time can be shortened through intelligent algorithms. The Pro edition of lifepo4 battery released in 2025 reduces the constant voltage time by 15% through an AI predictive model and enhances the overall charging speed to 1.2C (50 minutes to full charge).
Market testing shows that in the North American electric ship market of 2024, the fast charging compatibility rate of lifepo4 battery was 89% (12% for lead-acid batteries). Shipowners reported that its charging speed was four times faster compared to that of lead-acid batteries, and the port charging pile utilization rate increased by 37%. However, if it is continuously charged at > 1C, then its cycle life will drop from 5,000 times to 3,800 times (from 2,000 times to 1,500 times for ternary lithium batteries), and the life and speed must be balanced.
In the safety aspect of speed limit, lifepo4 battery can achieve 2C charging (30 minutes fully charged) in the lab, yet the temperature rise is 15℃ (temperature rise of lead-acid battery when 2C charging is more than 35℃). UL certification proves that its capacity retention rate is still 82% after 1,000 2,000 2C cycles (only 68% for ternary lithium batteries). At the actual test during the Geneva Motor Show, its 2C fast charge capability refilled the vehicle’s range to 200km/ hour (50km/ hour for lead-acid batteries), rewriting the record of energy refill efficiency.