There are now a wide variety of cell types that are designed to optimize the type of performance parameters that are needed for specific applications. Choosing between high peak power and high long-term energy delivery is a typical design tradeoff for battery cells. So, high energy, low-current cells are used for lower power handheld products like phones and ultrabook PCs, while high power cells are used in power tool applications and e-bikes. There are now even “mid-rate” type of cells designed for applications where the system needs a balance between long term energy delivery and instantaneous surge current capability.

