Physics-based model has been regarded as a promising alternative to equivalent circuit model due to its ability to describe internal electrochemical states of battery. However, the rigorous physics-based model, namely pseudo-two-dimensional (P2D) model, is too complicated for online application in embedded battery management system. In this paper, to simplify the P2D model, a series of polynomial functions are employed to approximate the electrolyte phase concentration profile, solid phase concentration profile, and non-uniform reaction flux profile, respectively, Especially, the accuracy of 2nd-order and 3rd-order polynomial approximations for reaction flux is compared, and the higher order is validated with more strength. Benefit from the acquisition of above variables, the electrolyte potential is derived directly according to the conservation of charge at electrolyte phase; the accuracy of activation overpotential is also improved by using the non-uniform reaction flux rather than assuming the uniform current density in single particle (SP) model. Finally, the developed model is simulated by different constant current rates, hybrid pulse and driving cycles, and its outputs are compared with P2D model and original SP model. The results demonstrate that the model proposed in this paper could capture the battery characteristics efficiently, and also significantly reduce the computation complexity. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.