Meet Sir Chargewell: BCI’s NEW educational ambassador!
As National Battery Day approaches on February 18, Battery Council International unveils Sir Chargewell—our new mascot and educational ambassador sharing how batteries power our world! With his super electrifying personality, Sir Chargewell embodies BCI’s commitment to making battery education engaging and accessible. He demystifies energy storage technology, highlights batteries’ critical economic role, and champions industry innovation.
Sir Chargewell’s National Battery Day Countdown: How batteries power everything
💼 Economic Engine
Domestically produced lead batteries power America’s economy, supporting 48 million U.S. jobs and generating $8.1 trillion in industrial output annually—20% of the nation’s economy—while creating 106,000 direct industry jobs and $35 billion in nationwide business output.
♻️ Circular Economy
Lead batteries achieve a 99% recycling rate, making them the world’s most recycled consumer product. Their materials are reused repeatedly, supporting a truly circular economy and demonstrating responsible building—safe and reliable from the start.
🚛 Critical to Supply Chains
In 2025, lead was designated a critical mineral because of its critical role in powering the domestic economy. Batteries are essential in a wide range of applications, from transportation to telecom to national defense. Check out BCI’s Interactive Member Map to see where batteries are made and recycled onshore in North America.
🔒 Military & National Security
Batteries power submarines, sonobuoys, military base microgrids, and soldier-portable systems like night vision and communications equipment. From undersea surveillance to forward-deployed operations, batteries ensure mission-critical reliability, supporting America’s defense infrastructure and national security worldwide.
🚑 Emergency & Critical Services
In hospitals, backup batteries keep life support, operating rooms, and patient monitoring running. For first responders, batteries power communication devices, emergency lighting, and vital medical equipment. During emergencies, battery systems provide safety, stability, and hope.
⚡ Stationary Energy Storage
Energy storage is America’s digital infrastructure backbone. From AI data centers to hospitals and telecom networks, batteries deliver reliability and resilience. With electricity demand quadrupling by 2030, diverse technologies—lead, flow, lithium, sodium, zinc—balance supply and demand.
🚗 Transportation & Vehicles
While EVs are known for battery drive trains, every internal combustion vehicle depends on legacy battery technology for starting engines, running auxiliary systems and more. Batteries connect every journey.
💻 Data Centers & Telecom
Data centers rely on UPS batteries preventing costly outages, while telecommunications networks depend on batteries keeping cell towers and communication hubs online during grid failures. In a digital economy, batteries keep the world connected.
A rich history built on batteries, charging forward
On National Battery Day, we celebrate both where we’ve been and where we’re going. Our industry’s foundation is built on over a century of lead battery innovation. BCI has provided 100+ years of leadership, and some members have manufactured lead batteries even longer. Check out the landmark achievements that defined 2025 for the battery industry.
Want to see the battery industry in action?
Join us May 3-6 in Nashville for the 2026 BCI Convention + Power Mart Expo. The BCI Convention is the premier gathering for the global battery industry. For more than 100 years, BCI has united leaders, innovators, policymakers, and decision-makers to exchange insights, build partnerships, and shape the future of energy storage.
