The question of how, specifically, to properly package and move automotive lithium-ion batteries is not quickly answered with a simple explanation. That’s because a number of factors figure into the equation when choosing the correct packaging for LiBs (lithium batteries) and their shipping. Specifically, there are three factors that matter most, so let’s take a look at those.
Packaging Selection Determination
To determine what kind of packaging you need for your LiBs, these three factors should be considered:
- To ship your battery, what mode of transportation are you using?
- How much does the LiB weigh?
- What kind of state (or shape) is your lithium-ion battery in?
Transportation Mode
Why is the mode of transportation so important when choosing packaging? It has everything to do with regulations and requirements defining the need for specific shippers, driver education, vehicle requirements, labeling and marketing, etc. Different countries, states, cities, roads, etc. may have varying regulations. Here are the four basic modes of transportation for lithium-ion batteries:
- Air
- Sea
- Rail
- Road
Weighing in on Pounds and Ounces
We’re not going to speak about pounds and ounces specifically, but the weight of your battery will determine how you ship it. Depending on how much it weighs, you may have to put fewer batteries in the packaging. Lighter batteries could mean that you’ll be able to pack multiple units in the transport packing. Regardless of the weight, however, here are two general requirements:
- You must prevent movement inside the packaging.
- Short-circuiting must be protected against because this could cause the battery to heat up and catch fire.
What Condition Is Your Battery in?
There are four different “states” that a lithium battery can be in where transport and packaging regulations are concerned. The type of packaging required will be determined by the condition of the battery. The four states are as follows:
- A defective or damaged battery – Without exception, these are banned from air transport. If it’s too hard to determine the specific state of a battery, for safety reasons, it is simply considered defective.
- A battery that is considered waste – These are probably being shipped for recycling or disposal. Without specific approval, they are banned from air transport.
- A series battery – This is likely being mass produced/shipped because it has been tested and approved.
- A battery that is just a prototype – This battery has not been qualified or tested so will have packaging requirements that are tougher.
At Mickey Genuine Parts, Transportation Is Our Specialty
To help keep your ground mode of transportation running smoothly, you can depend on Mickey Genuine Parts certified service centers located throughout the nation. If you do your own work, we are happy to supply the parts you need to get your fleet up and running properly – even if your fleet consists of one vehicle!
If you order your part by 2 PM Eastern Standard Time, we can begin shipping it to you the very same day. Parts that aren’t in stock will ship within three days of your order. Contact us today to speak to one of our knowledgeable, friendly customer service representatives. Discover why more and more transportation companies are experiencing the Mickey difference and choosing Mickey Genuine Parts for their parts and service needs.