Lead battery technology has a hybrid punch

Lead battery technology still has a major role to play in the future of automobiles, demonstrated this week at the Battery show in Novi, Michigan.

East Penn, one of the leading battery makers in the US, is showcasing the Kia Optima Hybrid 48-Volt system demonstration car.

The vehicle features a 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator system in conjunction with an electric supercharger, with electric energy stored in UltraBattery modules designed and manufactured by East Penn.

Ultrabatteries use an innovative lead-carbon hybrid battery technology first supported in development by the Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium more than a decade ago. It offers greater cycle life with general performance improvements over conventional lead batteries.

In the Kia vehicle on show, CO2 emissions have been shown to be reduced by 16%, in combination with an increase in engine power of 23%.

“With an abundance of news out this summer from leading automakers announcing that they plan to phase out combustion engine technology in less than 20 years, this presentation by East Penn, in Association with Kia, shows what can be achieved now by integrating existing lead battery technology in a very cost-effective and fuel-efficient way,” International Lead Association (ILA) products and sustainability director Dr Alistair Davidson says.

“48V systems are one of the favoured intermediate solution as automakers move forward to a pure electric future. Lead-based battery systems are the lowest cost, fully recycled, ubiquitous and safest means of storing electrical energy – which is at the heart of all EV and hybrid vehicle development.”

East Penn’s project partners Hyundai, ALABC, Valeo and AVL all played key roles in the demonstration.

The Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium is an international research co-operative comprising lead producers, battery manufacturers, equipment suppliers, application developers, and research facilities organised to enhance the performance of lead batteries for a variety of markets, including hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications.

Visit www.alabc.org

for more information.