Why Are Lithium Batteries “Afraid of the Cold”?

Lithium batteries experience a significant drop in performance in cold environments. This is mainly due to the fundamental characteristics of their chemical reactions. The key issues include:

1. Sharp Increase in Internal Resistance

At low temperatures, the electrolyte becomes more viscous and lithium-ion mobility slows down.
As a result, the battery’s internal resistance increases, causing:
Faster voltage drop during discharge
A noticeable reduction in available capacity

2. Poor Charging Acceptance

Charging a lithium battery at low temperatures—especially below 0°C—can be dangerous.
When lithium ions cannot be intercalated into the anode quickly enough, they may plate onto the anode surface as metallic lithium, forming lithium dendrites.
These dendrites can pierce the separator, causing internal short circuits, leakage, or even fire, leading to irreversible battery damage.

3. Reduced Power Output

Higher internal resistance prevents the battery from delivering high current output.
Devices that require large instantaneous power—such as vehicle starters or power tools—may feel “weak” or fail to start under cold conditions.

4. Apparent “Capacity Loss”

You may notice that phones or other devices lose power much faster outdoors in cold weather.
This “capacity drop” is temporary because low temperature only suppresses the battery’s activity—it does not permanently damage the capacity.
Once back in a warm environment, part of the lost capacity recovers.