Lithium batteries can typically sit unused for up to 2 years without losing their charge. However, it is recommended to check and recharge them every 6-12 months for optimal performance.
If you have a lithium-ion battery that is not being used, it can still go bad over time. Lithium-ion batteries are designed to be used and recharged regularly, and leaving them unused for long periods can cause them to degrade or even become unusable. Here are some things that can happen to lithium-ion batteries when they are not used:
That explains the 10 years. When people read “lithium battery”, most think of lithium-ion rechargeable, so called secondary cells. Hence both mine and Cristobols comments/answers. Your battery will degrade in storage, certainly significantly in 15 years. How much depends on conditions. The mechanisms of lithium-ion degradation are shown here.
Most unused alkaline batteries will last between five and 10 years, while Ni-MH batteries have a shelf life of three to five years of non-use. Most expiration dates are conservative so most likely your expired batteries will still have a charge for some time after, if they are stored in optimal conditions. Do batteries run out when not used?
How long can you store a lithium battery before it degrades?
You might be curious about how long you can store a lithium battery before it starts to degrade. Generally, lithium batteries can be stored for up to 6 to 12 months without significant degradation, provided they are stored under the right conditions.
Do lithium ion batteries degrade when not in use?
Lithium-ion batteries, when not in use, generally don't degrade significantly simply by sitting idle. The monthly SoH (State of Health) loss of a lithium-ion battery that is not undercharged, overcharged, or overheated is between 0.08 to 0.25%.
What happens if a lithium battery is left unused?
If left unused for months, a fully charged lithium battery can become completely depleted. Capacity Loss: Over time, unused lithium batteries can lose their ability to hold a charge. This means that when you finally decide to use the battery, it might not last as long as it would have if it had been used regularly.