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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
“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.”
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:
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:
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There is still a lead acid battery in the majority of EVs. [And] we’re also seeing an increase in the number of multi-battery systems – vehicles with more than one battery, a primary and auxiliary battery.
