Lithium cells are definitely better in terms of weight & volume per Ah, and probably have a lower internal resistance. They die if they are overdischarged, or charged whilst frozen, and they may explode in these circumstances (and maybe others). Batteries typically comprise four cells, and “should have” a battery management system to protect the cells from the environment and vice versa (but my guess is that most don’t). All a BMS can do is turn the battery off if the limits are exceeded, which might be inconvenient.
Lead Acid cells are much cheaper, mostly recyclable, less sensitive to their environment, and most vehicles’ charging systems are designed for them. They don’t catch fire if abused (though they can set fire to other things of course) but they will leak corrosive acid if you break them, and you can burst them by not venting whilst charging. Same is true for batteries comprising typically six cells.
You pays yer money…
Alternative weight saving, one less pie per week…
