Quote:
Originally Posted by Piotrsko
Battery tech hasn't changed much physically in the last ten years. Smaller form, more protection, higher charge rates, but watt hours storage is still a physical mass characteristic
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While the fundamentals haven't changed, the energy density and price have.
I have observed when OEMs specify a battery, they tend to either optimize for high current and durability at the expense of capacity (hybrids), or high capacity and density at the expense of C rate and cycle life.
As compared with 10-15 years ago, like-for-like batteries today often have 2-4x rated current output, twice the energy density, and are a quarter the price.
The two common options for Insight PHEV conversions are Samsung 49.5Ah modules, and Honda 5Ah modules. The Honda modules actually have higher current capacity and astronomical cycle life, but the Samsung modules are 5x as energy dense.
I personally sourced an older Panasonic pack (2013ish?) out of a Prius Plug-in, and compared with the 2018 Samsung modules, they're half as energy dense, but the price was right.