The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 is a bit special when it comes to batteries.
Instead of using just one pack, it has Lenovo’s Power Bridge design:
an internal battery + a removable external battery.
That means:
- Your T480 always has a built-in 24Wh internal battery, and
- You can choose different sizes for the external rear battery depending on how much runtime you want.
In practice, a T480 can use several different battery combinations – all based on one internal pack plus one of three external packs.
Below we explain each option and show which replacement batteries you can use.
View all Lenovo ThinkPad T480 batteries
1. The internal battery: 24Wh Lenovo 01AV421
Every ThinkPad T480 has an internal battery inside the chassis.
This pack cannot be swapped without opening the laptop, but it works together with the external battery to provide “Power Bridge” hot-swap capability.
- Capacity: 24Wh
- Type: Internal battery
- Typical part number: Lenovo 01AV421 (and compatible FRUs)
When the external battery is removed, the internal 24Wh pack keeps the T480 running for a short time,
so you can swap the rear battery without shutting down – one of the key advantages of this ThinkPad generation.
Internal battery for T480:
If your T480 shuts off quickly even with a new external pack, the internal 24Wh 01AV421 may also be worn and need replacement.
2. External battery options for the T480
On the back of the T480 you have a removable external battery bay.
This is where you can choose between:
- 24Wh external battery (standard low-profile)
- 48Wh external battery (medium)
- 72Wh external battery (high-capacity “extended”)
All three are compatible with the T480 – they just differ in capacity, weight and how far the pack sticks out at the back.
2.1 24Wh external battery – Lenovo 01AV423 / 61
- Capacity: 24Wh
- Position: Removable rear battery
- Typical FRU: 01AV423 (marketed as “61”)
- Profile: Slim – keeps the laptop close to original thickness and weight
This is a good choice if you want to keep the T480 light and portable, and you don’t need all-day runtime.
Combined with the 24Wh internal pack, you get around 48Wh total.
2.2 48Wh external battery – Lenovo 01AV427 / 61+
- Capacity: 48Wh
- Position: Removable rear battery
- Typical FRU: 01AV427 (often labelled as “61+”)
- Profile: Slightly extended – adds some thickness at the back
If you want a balance between weight and battery life, the 48Wh battery is ideal.
With the internal 24Wh pack, you get about 72Wh total capacity, enough for significantly longer runtime
on the go without making the laptop too bulky.
2.3 72Wh external battery – Lenovo 61 “extended”
- Capacity: 72Wh
- Position: Removable rear battery
- Typical name: 61 extended (high-capacity)
- Profile: Extended – creates a “battery foot” at the back and adds noticeable weight
For users who need true all-day battery life – travelling, field work or long meetings without outlets –
the 72Wh external pack is the best choice. Together with the internal 24Wh, it gives you about
96Wh total capacity, the maximum a T480 can use with Power Bridge.
3. How much battery life can you expect on a T480?
Exact runtime depends on your CPU, screen brightness and workload, but the total capacity is a good guide:
| Battery setup | Total capacity (approx.) | Typical light-use runtime* |
|---|---|---|
| 24Wh internal + 24Wh external | 48Wh | ~4–6 hours |
| 24Wh internal + 48Wh external | 72Wh | ~7–10 hours |
| 24Wh internal + 72Wh external | 96Wh | ~10–14 hours |
*Rough estimates for office work / browsing with moderate brightness. Heavy tasks (VMs, compiling, video editing, gaming) will reduce these numbers.
4. Which T480 battery setup should you choose?
“I just want something similar to the original.”
If your T480 felt fine when it was new and you mainly use it at a desk or for short trips,
the 24Wh internal + 24Wh external combination is enough.
You can replace:
- Internal: 24Wh Lenovo 01AV421
- External: 24Wh Lenovo 01AV423 / 61
“I need more battery but still want portability.”
For most users, the sweet spot is the 48Wh external battery:
- Internal: 24Wh 01AV421
- External: 48Wh 01AV427 / 61+
This gives you around 72Wh total capacity – noticeably longer life without making the T480 too heavy.
“I want maximum runtime – all day away from power.”
Choose the 72Wh extended external battery:
- Internal: 24Wh 01AV421
- External: 72Wh Lenovo 61 extended
This combination (around 96Wh total) is ideal for travel, field work or long days in meetings without guaranteed access to power sockets.
5. Quick FAQ: T480 battery basics
What battery does the T480 use?
A Lenovo ThinkPad T480 always uses a 24Wh internal battery (01AV421) plus one external removable battery:
24Wh, 48Wh or 72Wh, all from the Lenovo “61” family (01AV423, 01AV427 or 61 extended).
Does the T480 support two batteries?
Yes. That’s exactly how the T480 is designed to work – internal + external.
This is what enables Lenovo’s Power Bridge hot-swap feature.
Can I upgrade from a 24Wh to a 48Wh or 72Wh external battery?
Yes. As long as the battery is a genuine T480-compatible “61 series” external pack (24Wh, 48Wh or 72Wh),
you can swap to a larger capacity without any changes to the laptop itself.
Is it worth replacing a worn T480 battery?
If your T480 still meets your performance needs (CPU/RAM/SSD), then replacing the battery is usually much cheaper than buying a new laptop –
especially if you upgrade to a higher-capacity external pack for better runtime.
6. Summary
So, what battery does the T480 use?
In short:
- Every T480 has a 24Wh internal battery (01AV421) inside the chassis, and
- It can use one of three external removable batteries:
- 24Wh – 01AV423 / 61 (slim)
- 48Wh – 01AV427 / 61+ (medium)
- 72Wh – 61 extended (high-capacity)
By choosing the right external pack – and replacing the internal battery if it’s worn – you can easily refresh your T480 and tailor its battery life to your actual use:
from light, slim daily carry to serious all-day mobile work.