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What determines the lifespan of primary batteries?

Primary batteries, also known as non-rechargeable batteries, remain a popular choice in many applications. This is especially true in situations where recharging is not possible or practical, such as military operations, pacemakers, medical equipment, and IoT devices.

Key factors include:

Battery chemistry
Ambient temperature
The application’s energy consumption

1. Battery chemistry

Battery chemistry has a major influence on battery lifespan and performance.

For example, lithium batteries generally last significantly longer than alkaline batteries — in some cases up to seven times longer — depending on the lithium technology and battery brand used.

More information about the different types of primary batteries can be found here.

2. Ambient temperature

Primary batteries perform best when stored and used in cool, dry conditions.

For alkaline batteries, the ideal operating temperature is around 20 °C. Lithium batteries are generally more resistant to temperature fluctuations and perform better under both high and low temperature conditions.

3. The application’s energy consumption

Alkaline batteries are ideal for applications with relatively low and stable power consumption, such as remote controls, clocks, and radios.

Lithium batteries are better suited for applications with higher peak currents or long-term reliability requirements. They are widely used in medical devices, IoT applications, smart meters, and industrial electronics.