Electric Vehicles & Charging Stations

The automotive industry is making tremendous investments to electrify transportation. Sustainable lead batteries are essential to support the mix of synergistic battery chemistries needed to transform the global car parc.

lead batteries support electric vehicle charting stations

Every Electric Vehicle Requires a 12V Battery

To address increasing government mandates, vehicle manufacturers have created five vehicle electrification platforms, including autonomous vehicles.

Each serves as a steppingstone to greater electrification; all require one or more 12V low-voltage batteries, typically a 12V lead battery. Plug-in hybrids – or (P)HEVs – and fully electric vehicles (EVs), including autonomous vehicles, will require a mix of battery chemistries working in tandem: Lithium-ion for motive power and lead batteries for auxiliary power functions.

Chart on types of vehicle electrification

The bottom line: Lead batteries are a trusted solution to support the gradual move from traditional internal combustion engines (ICE) to EVs. Plus, with their 99% recycling rate, lead batteries further boost the sustainability profile of EVs and lead-battery supported charging stations.

View Our Information Brief on Electric Vehicles and Autonomous Vehicles

Lead batteries power EV onboard functions

Powering Onboard Functions in Plug-In Hybrids and EVs

Advanced, low-voltage lead batteries in (P)HEVs and EVs are the behind-the-scenes heroes we often take for granted. A high-voltage battery pack (often lithium-ion) provides a vehicle’s motive power. But the sheer number of onboard electric functions in today’s vehicles requires an additional low-wattage battery (often a lead battery) to power the many critical safety, security, comfort and entertainment functions.

When a Vehicle is Off – Lead Batteries Keep Us Connected

Starts the car
Keeps electronics functioning
Manages process to charge the vehicle

When Driving – Lead Batteries Keep Us Powered

Powers accessory loads
Reserves motive power

In an Emergency – Lead Batteries Keep Us Safe

Powers low-voltage system if high-voltage battery fails
Ensures electric brakes and steering still function
Powers emergency reporting systems

Powerful Facts

20 years ago, a new car had 20 individual electronic functions. Today, there are more than 150.
Over the past 10 years, the peak power needs of a vehicle have increased nearly 50%.

Watch Our Webinar: Industry Experts Share Insights on U.S. Energy Storage Related to EV Platforms

Lead Batteries Work in Tandem with Lithium-Ion

Most of today’s (P)HEVs and EVs use a high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack to power the electric motor that provides vehicle traction. A 12V low-voltage lead battery provides the critical auxiliary power for virtually all other nonmotive electrical functions.

Electric vehicle with lead battery callouts

Powering EV and Hybrid Charging Stations

A vast, reliable charging-station network will help accelerate the adoption of more electrified vehicles. Lead batteries store and provide power at EV charging sites – even during extreme weather and peak demand times.

Charging station developers, automakers and government are rolling-out more lead-battery-supported EV charging stations to provide safe, convenient power. That supports the deployment of fast-charge-enabled charge points in more locations and at lower cost using existing grid infrastructure.

A lead battery offers significant benefits:

Provides a domestically sourced energy storage solution for clean and green EV charging.
Regulates and ensures power at EV charging stations.
Stores energy from multiple electrical sources (grid power, fuel cell, wind or solar).
Maintains a nearly 100% recycling rate, ensuring feedstock for new lead batteries, which typically consist of 80% recycled material.

View Our Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Station Fact Sheet

“They [lead batteries] enable us to harness solar electricity generated on site to minimize our impact on the world with a game-changing, 100-percent recyclable battery.”
Frank Baumann, CEO, GreenCore EV Services
Selected lead batteries to power thousands of solar EV charging stations across the U.S.

Bridging Transition from ICEs to EVs

Despite ambitious goals for EV adoption in the U.S., the path will likely be an evolution, rather than a revolution. Today, EVs comprise just over 1% of the U.S. vehicle population, and industry projections show potential growth over the next 10 years to reach just over 20%. Charging infrastructure will play a major role in enabling EV penetration as owners overcome range anxiety.

Regardless, lead batteries will continue to facilitate the ICE-to-EV shift by supporting the full range of powertrain technologies. Here’s how:

Starting, Lighting and Ignition (SLI)
Nearly every new car and truck, despite how powered, will continue to include a 12V auxiliary battery for SLI functions.
Start-Stop Technology
Automakers have long favored lead batteries for this energy efficient feature. Hybrid vehicles have always had start-stop technology.
New Cars and Replacement Batteries
Lead battery manufacturers will continue to provide new and replacement batteries for millions of ICE vehicles already on the road. Currently, 77% of the SLI battery market is aftermarket.

View Our Start-Stop Vehicles Infographic

Start-stop technology lowers fuel consumption by up to 10% and eliminates nearly 10 million tons of GHG emissions annually in the U.S.

DC Fast Charge and Energy Storage Together Protect Infrastructure

EVs offer many benefits to consumers and the environment. However, the industry still faces a major challenge — developing an EV that charges in the same amount of time it takes to fill an ICE vehicle.

Both level 1 and level 2 charging options utilize alternating current (AC) outlets to conveniently charge EVs at home or at a destination where travelers have long periods of time available to recharge. Yet, these options fall short if you don’t have multiple hours to recharge.

Direct Current (DC) fast charging also known as level 3, allows an EV to charge from near zero percent state of charge (SOC) to 80% in 15 to 45 minutes depending on the model of EV. This is a great solution for those needing to get back on the road quickly. However, DC fast charge rollout does come with infrastructure and peak demand challenges for those who install these stations that must be overcome.

Ways that coupling battery energy storage systems (BESS) with DC fast chargers can alleviate these challenges:

During peak usage periods, the battery system can provide significant amount of required power to minimize spikes in demand and mitigate costly demand charges for site owners.
Locations without sufficient incoming power infrastructure can utilize energy storage as a buffer between the incoming grid power and the power being used to charge EVs providing a more level load on the grid.

Download: DC Fast Charge Coupled with Energy Storage Info Brief