Introduction of three wheeler battery types and market details

What is a three wheeler battery

A three wheeler battery is specially designed for regular three-wheelers or auto rickshaw applications. There are different types of three wheeler batteries and they include:

• Lead-acid batteries
• Lithium iron Phosphate batteries
• Ternary lithium batteries

Which battery is best for a three-wheeler

Lithium ion battery such as LiFePO4 battery and ternary lithium battery are best for a three-wheeler. lithium batteries are different from other batteries in that they have a higher energy density, making them perfect for Electric Vehicles such as Electric three-wheelers and motorcycles. They have longer cycle life than ordinary batteries. Additionally, they are the lightest type of lithium battery available. Generally speaking, the larger the capacity of the battery, the larger the volume and the heavier the weight. The volume of a 100ah battery is much larger than that of a 6ah battery.

The power equipment needs to consider not only the battery life of the battery board, but also the overall weight of the equipment. The ternary lithium battery is the battery with the highest energy density on the market. Under the same specifications, the volume and weight of the ternary lithium battery are only 1/4-1/6 of that of the lead-acid battery. The lithium iron phosphate battery is more prominent in terms of safety and life. Therefore, ternary lithium and LiFePO4 are used as the main electric vehicle batteries.

How much electricity does a three-wheeler use

90% of the global electric vehicles are two & three-wheelers, with their concentration mainly in Asia. This is partly due to the charging/electric infrastructure already in place. While relatively small compared to electric cars, electric three-wheelers also require high power capacity. On average, most three wheeler batteries have 12V. At the moment, the market comprises three types of three-wheelers based on power: 1,000 W, 1,000-1,500 W, and over 1500 W.

There are two major types of three-wheelers:
I.Delta
This type has one wheel at the front and two at the back.
II.Tadpole/Reverse trike
This type is the reverse of the delta with two wheels at the front and one at the back, thus offering more stability.

Can I upgrade my three wheeler battery

Yes, you can upgrade your three wheeler battery. If you use lead-acid batteries, you can change to Lithium ternary battery or LiFePO4 batteries, which last longer. From a cost standpoint, lead acid batteries are cheaper initially. However, LiFePO4 batteries are the most cost-effective in the long run as they last about 4 times longer. Plus, they do not require maintenance.

How to choose a powerful three wheeler battery

Power is one of the most important considerations when picking a three wheeler battery. Together with temperature, humidity, and general makeup of a battery, power determines the durability of a battery. Ensure that the battery you choose fits the battery compartment as well as its compatibility. It is essential to know about the following three items that determine the power of a battery:

• Capacity
• Peak Power
• Continuous power

You can find the above parameters in the specification book provided by the battery manufacturer. You can also contact the battery manufacturer for more detailed information, or directly customize according to your usage needs.

In which countries is the three wheeler battery popular

Three-wheelers are hugely popular in Asia and especially in the Asia-Pacific region. On top of that, the three-wheeler market in Africa is steadily growing. The growth of these markets is good news for three wheeler battery manufacturers as the two go in tandem. By 2021, the market value of three wheelers in Africa and the Middle East was $15,748.91 with projections expecting it to grow.

The increasing demand for three wheeler batteries in these regions is catapulted by:

• Support for three wheelers in public transportation systems.
• Concerns about carbon emissions from regular motor vehicles.
• The rising global costs of oil and motor vehicle petroleum products.

Countries with a high number of three-wheeler batteries

1.India
As it currently stands, India and China are the two largest three-wheeler markets globally. In India, three-wheelers are commonly referred to as rickshaws. Three major things propel their demand:

• To support a poorly supported public/passenger transport system in major cities and towns.
• An increased network of better CNG fuel stations
• The need to support penetration to rural areas and local towns.

2.China
China dominates the Asia pacific market in three wheelers market share. These are supported by the following:

• A high urban population
• A good network of battery swapping stations to support fast and efficient charging.
• To lower carbon emissions from fuel-powered motor vehicles.
• And China is also a major producer of tricycles and lithium-ion power batteries.

3.Thailand
Tuk Tuks as three-wheelers are commonly referred to in Thailand, are used to transport passengers in major Thailand cities. The name comes from the sound the engines make while in transit. From this, we can infer that a market that supports three wheelers also supports three-wheeler batteries and their market.

However, the growth of this sector has faced some challenges. Especially due to the accessibility and price of three-wheeler batteries and most governments’ initiatives to Go Green. As a result of this, there has been extensive research on electric three wheelers and the technologies that will support their adoption.

What is the battery swapping policy in three-wheelers

Electric three-wheelers have faced one major challenge, the amount of time it takes to charge their batteries. Three-wheeler batteries can take about 5 hours to fully charge. Many three wheelers will be used for profit, and long charging times are not viable for electric three wheelers that need to be driven and used all day. Due to this, most three-wheeler drivers are forced to charge their batteries overnight and hope that the batteries do not die while in use. This particular problem has intensified adoption of battery swapping stations around major cities with three wheelers.

Battery swapping stations are designated areas where electric vehicle owners can exchange their dying three-wheeler batteries with fully charged ones. The process takes about one minutes on average. Countries such as India and China have legislations regarding battery swapping stations. The battery swapping policy was developed to standardize the three wheeler battery market. Furthermore, it helps cut down the costs of the batteries while also solving the range anxiety of three-wheeler drivers.

The idea behind battery swapping stations is to separate the three wheeler battery from the vehicle. As a result, the owner of the three wheeler does not own the battery in the swapping station. In this instance, batteries remain under the ownership of the swapping company, which also supplies fully charged batteries in the swapping stations.