3-EVF and 4-EVF High-Voltage Battery Series: Complete Guide for E-Rickshaw and Heavy EV OEMs (2026)
For electric rickshaw, e-moped, and three-wheeled commercial vehicle OEMs, the 3-EVF (6V) and 4-EVF (8V) high-voltage battery series is the missing piece between the standard 12V EVF series and the multi-cell OPzV series. These single-block high-voltage batteries simplify pack assembly, reduce wiring complexity, and deliver the higher discharge current that commercial-grade electric vehicles demand.
This guide walks through CHISEN’s 3-EVF and 4-EVF series specifications, shows you which applications require this voltage class, and explains the design trade-offs between high-voltage single-block batteries and the alternative of stacking 12V batteries in series.
CHISEN 3-EVF and 4-EVF Series: Complete Specifications
| Model | Voltage | Capacity | Length | Width | Height | Total H | Weight | Terminal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-EVF-180 | 6V | 180Ah (3hr) | 263 mm | 182 mm | 280 mm | 280 mm | 32 kg | M8 |
| 3-EVF-200 | 6V | 200Ah (3hr) | 263 mm | 182 mm | 280 mm | 280 mm | 34 kg | M8 |
| 3-EVF-225 | 6V | 225Ah (3hr) | 263 mm | 182 mm | 280 mm | 280 mm | 35 kg | M8 |
| 4-EVF-150 | 8V | 150Ah (3hr) | 263 mm | 182 mm | 280 mm | 280 mm | 34.8 kg | M8 |
The 3-EVF and 4-EVF series share the same 263 × 182 × 280 mm outer dimensions, which simplifies pack tray design for OEMs building vehicles that use a mix of 6V and 8V blocks. The only difference is the internal cell configuration: 3 cells in series for the 3-EVF (delivering 6V), and 4 cells in series for the 4-EVF (delivering 8V).
Why High-Voltage Single-Block Batteries Exist
The vast majority of small-format lead acid batteries are 12V, because the 12V form factor was standardized for automotive SLI (starting, lighting, ignition) applications in the 1950s. For e-bikes and e-scooters, the 12V form factor is convenient because the standard battery tray sizes are designed around it.
However, for commercial-grade electric vehicles like e-rickshaws, e-mopeds, and three-wheeled cargo vehicles, the 12V form factor creates pack assembly complications:
- A 48V e-rickshaw pack requires four 12V batteries in series. The wiring between the four batteries adds complexity, weight, and points of failure.
- A 60V e-rickshaw pack requires five 12V batteries in series. Even more wiring.
- The four or five 12V batteries also have five or six cable connections, each of which must be torqued correctly, protected from corrosion, and inspected regularly.
The 3-EVF and 4-EVF series solves this problem by packaging multiple cells into a single high-voltage block. A 48V e-rickshaw pack built from 3-EVF-200 (6V 200Ah) requires only eight 6V batteries in series (8 × 6V = 48V), instead of four 12V batteries. The eight 6V blocks have smaller footprints than four 12V blocks, which gives the pack designer more flexibility in tray layout.
For an 60V e-rickshaw, ten 3-EVF-200 in series (10 × 6V = 60V) delivers 60V 200Ah. For a 72V e-moped, nine 4-EVF-150 in series (9 × 8V = 72V) delivers 72V 150Ah.
Application Matrix for 3-EVF and 4-EVF
| Vehicle Class | System Voltage | Recommended Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| E-rickshaw (passenger, light duty) | 48V | 8 × 3-EVF-180 (6V 180Ah) |
| E-rickshaw (passenger, standard duty) | 48V | 8 × 3-EVF-200 (6V 200Ah) |
| E-rickshaw (cargo, heavy duty) | 60V | 10 × 3-EVF-225 (6V 225Ah) |
| E-moped (low power) | 48V | 6 × 4-EVF-150 (8V 150Ah) |
| E-moped (high power) | 72V | 9 × 4-EVF-150 (8V 150Ah) |
| Three-wheeled cargo vehicle | 60V | 10 × 3-EVF-225 (6V 225Ah) |
| Industrial floor scrubber | 36V | 6 × 3-EVF-180 (6V 180Ah) |
| Industrial floor scrubber | 48V | 8 × 3-EVF-180 (6V 180Ah) |
| AGV (automated guided vehicle) | 48V | 8 × 3-EVF-200 (6V 200Ah) |
| Personnel carrier (golf course, factory) | 48V | 8 × 3-EVF-225 (6V 225Ah) |
For a typical Indian-market e-rickshaw with a 48V 200Ah pack, the standard configuration is eight 3-EVF-200 in series. The pack delivers 9.6 kWh of total energy, which is enough for 80–100 km of range per charge in typical e-rickshaw duty (heavy stop-and-go urban driving with passenger load).
Drop-In Replacement and Tray Compatibility
The 3-EVF and 4-EVF share the same 263 × 182 × 280 mm footprint as CHISEN’s 6-EVF series, but the 6V and 8V blocks deliver different voltage per block. For an OEM migrating from a 12V-battery-based pack design to a 6V-block-based pack design, the tray layout must be redesigned — but the cell chemistry, charging profile, and cycle life characteristics remain the same as the EVF series.
For new OEM pack designs, the 3-EVF and 4-EVF series offer these advantages over a 12V-battery-based design:
- Wiring simplification. Fewer inter-battery connections means less wiring harness, fewer connection points, and lower assembly labor cost.
- Tray layout flexibility. The smaller 6V and 8V blocks can be arranged in more configurations than the larger 12V blocks, allowing tighter pack dimensions.
- Higher discharge current per block. A 3-EVF-200 at 6V 200Ah delivers the same total power as a 12V 100Ah battery at half the voltage and twice the current. For applications requiring high current at moderate voltage, the 3-EVF configuration is structurally better.
For an existing 12V-based pack design, the migration to 3-EVF or 4-EVF requires a tray redesign and a BMS reconfiguration. CHISEN’s engineering team can assist with the migration design for OEM customers with confirmed annual volume commitments.
Cycle Life and Total Cost of Ownership
The 3-EVF and 4-EVF series share the same cycle life characteristics as the 6-EVF series — ≥ 600 cycles at 80% DoD. The cycle life is determined by the cell chemistry (tubular gel), not by the block voltage.
For an Indian-market e-rickshaw with a 48V 200Ah pack (eight 3-EVF-200 in series), the 5-year total cost of ownership looks like this:
| Cost Component | 3-EVF-200 (CHISEN) | Generic 12V 200Ah AGM × 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Initial battery cost | 8 × $155 = $1,240 | 4 × $185 = $740 |
| Battery replacement (year 1.6) | — | 4 × $185 = $740 |
| Battery replacement (year 3.3) | 8 × $155 = $1,240 | 4 × $185 = $740 |
| Battery replacement (year 5) | — | — |
| Battery replacement labor (8 × $150 vs 4 × $150) | $1,200 (1 event) | $1,200 (2 events) |
| Total 5-year cost | $3,680 | $4,460 |
Over 5 years, the CHISEN 3-EVF-200 pack costs $780 less in total ownership despite the higher unit price. The savings come from the longer cycle life (one fewer battery replacement) and the avoided second replacement labor event.
Lead Time, MOQ, and Pricing
Standard 3-EVF and 4-EVF production orders run on a 25-day lead time for orders under 500 units and 35–40 days for full container loads. MOQ is 100 units per model.
| Model | 100 units | 500 units | 1,000 units | 5,000 units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-EVF-180 | $168 | $155 | $148 | $138 |
| 3-EVF-200 | $178 | $165 | $158 | $148 |
| 3-EVF-225 | $192 | $178 | $170 | $160 |
| 4-EVF-150 | $182 | $168 | $160 | $150 |
A 20GP container holds approximately 600–800 units depending on model; a 40HQ holds approximately 1,400–1,800 units. DDP terms are available for the United States, Germany, and the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 3-EVF-200 and 6-DMF-200?
The 3-EVF-200 is a 6V 200Ah tubular gel battery with ≥ 600 cycle life at 80% DoD. The 6-DMF-200 (if it existed) would be a 12V AGM-equivalent flat-plate battery with 200–300 cycle life at 80% DoD. For deep-cycle commercial vehicle duty, the 3-EVF-200 is the correct choice. The DMF series is designed for lighter-duty e-bike and e-scooter applications.
Can I use a 12V charger on a 3-EVF battery?
No. A 12V charger is configured for 14.4–14.8V absorption (AGM) or 14.2–14.4V absorption (gel). A 6V charger is configured for 7.2–7.4V absorption (AGM) or 7.1–7.2V absorption (gel). Using a 12V charger on a 6V battery will destroy the battery. CHISEN supplies 6V and 8V gel-compatible chargers at $35 per unit at 100-unit MOQ.
What about BMS for the series string?
For a 48V e-rickshaw pack (eight 3-EVF-200 in series), the BMS is configured for 24 cells in series (each 3-EVF contains 3 internal cells × 8 batteries = 24 cells total). Use a 24S BMS for this configuration. CHISEN does not supply BMS but can recommend suppliers (Daly, JBD, ANT) for customers who do not have an established BMS source.
Can I charge the 3-EVF in the vehicle using a standard e-rickshaw charger?
Yes, as long as the charger is configured for 6V blocks (not 12V blocks). Most modern e-rickshaw chargers are configurable for 48V, 60V, or 72V pack voltages, regardless of whether the pack is built from 12V blocks, 6V blocks, or 8V blocks. The charger output voltage is determined by the total pack voltage, not the individual block voltage.
What is the warranty on the 3-EVF and 4-EVF series?
24 months from B/L date for manufacturing defects. The longer warranty (compared to 12 months for DZF/DMF series) reflects the longer cycle life of the EVF series. Warranty does not cover improper charging, deep discharge below 5.0V (per 6V block) or 6.7V (per 8V block), physical damage, or operation above 65°C ambient.
Ready to specify CHISEN 3-EVF or 4-EVF for your e-rickshaw or commercial EV program?
📧 Email: sales@chisen.cn
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