Motorola Battery Tips There are three types of Motorola batteries: Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Ion (Li-Ion). Nickel-Cadmium, or NiCd, batteries might be a better choice if your radio will be constantly used in very low temperatures, but the battery industry is generally moving away from NiCd batteries and towards NiMH and Li-Ion for the following reasons:
- Energy Density Limitations:
NiMH and especially Li-Ion batteries have higher capacity to size/weight ratios than NiCd, so they can be smaller and lighter while providing more capacity than a comparable NiCd battery. - Memory Build-Up:
Ni-Cd batteries are the most susceptible to memory "build-up", which limits the battery's ability to keep the same charge over time. - Requires recycling:
Ni-Cd batteries are less environmentally-friendly than NiMH and especially Lithium Ion batteries. - Cost:
More Lithium-Ion battery production is driving their cost down, while decreases in Ni-Cd battery demand are driving their cost up.
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