What is the State of Charge policy for UN3480 P.I.965 Lithium Ion Batteries under Section 1A?

• A. SoC not exceeding 50% of rated design capacity
• B. SoC not exceeding 30% of rated design capacity
• C. SoC not exceeding 10%
• D. No limit

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is safety through limiting how much energy a lithium ion battery can store during transport. For UN3480 lithium ion batteries under PI 965 Section 1A, the policy sets a maximum state of charge no higher than 30% of the battery’s rated design capacity. That means the shipped battery must contain only up to 30% of its designed energy, which is a way to keep the energy available in the pack low in case something goes wrong during transit.

To put it into perspective, if a battery is rated at 100 Wh, it can be shipped with up to 30 Wh of energy, i.e., at about 30% of its design capacity. This lower energy content reduces the risk of a fire or thermal runaway if the battery is damaged or experiences a fault, and it also helps with safer handling and regulation compliance.

Other options would imply more or less energy than allowed, which isn’t compatible with the Section 1A requirement. The 30% limit is specifically chosen to balance safety with practicality for shipping lithium ion batteries.