A battery is an energy storage system that stores electrical energy and can be used to provide power when needed. The battery uses a chemical reaction between ions in the electrolyte and electrons in the anode to create electricity. As the battery charges, a chemical reaction is taking place that involves electrons being stored in the anode and protons from the electrolyte being liberated onto the cathode side. The maximum voltage of this system occurs during charging with each stage causing fewer ions to be released at greater current flow as batteries boost larger amounts of power.
When you recharge a battery its self-discharge increases but not by much if it's worked for years before that.
Energy storage devices
Conventional batteries such as the lead-acid battery (used in cars and portable electronic devices), chemistries that store energy via hydrogen, or flowable electrochemical electrolytes are common ways of storing electrical power. However, there exist the need for smaller uses that require specific applications including transportation and lithium-ion batteries.
The top three slots on this list have previously held Tesla Model X which was announced back in 2016 powered by supercapacitors but unfortunately discontinued in 2017 models instead.
Tesla Model S and X combined
The lithium-ion battery is high-density rechargeable chemistry that provides power like the lead-acid batteries but also has characteristics between both with an ability to be recharged in minutes versus hours or days while being lightweight, strong, and durable during heavy loads such as short distance transcontinental travel. The cell can store 1 kWh costing 5 times less than lead solid, discharging 6 -8 hours which is far more efficient than lead-acid storage.
At the top of this list, Tesla's Model S and X combined in 2017 was second with a total range of over 2300 km while 10% charge lasts up to 294 miles at highway 75 mph (121 kph). However even that estimation did its not actually accurate as data from a frequently traveled route revealed an error due to them taking less distance for acceleration/deceleration (about 50% more distance in actuality) and due to their testing only using the acceleration mode in Google maps, that was supposed to simulate a long drive.
Tesla's Model S/X combined has no other close competition as older technology diesel or gasoline models have less range while being slower at faster speeds on highways. In comparison, the current most efficient 2016 model of Tesla's Model S (non-diving) is tied with 2.3 at 9,105 km while minimizing driver attention by not requiring state and federal laws to be followed during long-distance travel therefore only required 8% battery charge instead in order to maximize electric range over 562 miles on average or 486 km per kWh usage rate. This year’s version was tested again at 2.3 range on three consecutive days where the driver/operator was a trained technician (live person not remote-controlled nor coded) and it’s expected that from normal driving geography, it could achieve 6 times longer distance per kWh than most virtually available hybrid-electric models which are only 340 km or an average of 106 km range on the eight-hour drive in the past 12 months but simulate similar functionality due to current battery technology limitations for those vehicles. Consequently Tesla Model S battery and charging technology has been improved/refined in less than 5 years to achieve a range of 352 miles on average or over 280 kilometers per kWh at minimal cost when purchasing new fully loaded with upgrades (electric seats, upgraded stereo system along with two rear airbags).
In the 110kWh configuration where their P100D model is delivered, this modified used 2013 Tesla Model S delivers an amazing 313.3 mi range on average with a minimum range of 90.1 mi per kWh usage rate (peak 380 mi but can last much longer).
Wayne Gretzky once said: "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been". In other words, you don't have time for electric or hybrid vehicles because they are too slow on highways and most people drive government-regulated speed limits that prohibit any tip over at up to 185 mph. After all, using gasoline as a primary fuel with no other sort of low-cost or efficient alternative has been proven to be wasteful and costly.