Why you shouldn’t overlook the 12V battery

With much attention given to developing technologies within the sector, particularly in terms of EVs, it’s easy to overlook the humble 12V battery, according to Ecobat Battery Training Manager, Christopher Jones. Nevertheless, Ecobat believes it still plays a pivotal role, whatever the powertrain, meaning it remains a responsibility of the independent service and repair sector, and an opportunity for you in terms of supplying the required replacement batteries.

That is why we, Ecobat Battery, are keen to focus on three hybrid vehicles: the Toyota Auris and Prius and the Lexus CT200.

As is often the way with hybrid vehicles, there can be a level of confusion as to what role the batteries they utilise actually play – does the battery that powers the electric motor also start the combustion engine, or is that the responsibility of the 12V battery, for example?

Well, in these three vehicles, the 12V battery is used only for their 12V systems – lighting, windows, central locking, alarm etc – and is either an 054 or 055 AGM auxiliary battery, and as these vehicles age, the batteries are reaching their end of life, so demand for replacements is increasing.

There is more good news: you can reassure workshop customers that the replacement process for these batteries is straightforward; there is no need for any diagnostic intervention as the vehicle’s 12V system only needs to receive a supply feed while the old battery is removed and the new installed.

Ecobat Battery offers replacement options

Within our portfolio, with either Lucas LF054/LF055 or Numax 054/055, we provide workshops with a premium quality solution for their customers.

Alongside raising awareness of this opportunity, we are also drawing attention to the fact that, despite the recent shift from combustion engines to hybrid and electric powered vehicles, failure of the 12V battery remains the most common cause of breakdowns!

This is because, whether an EV incorporates a combustion engine with a 48V or 350V battery in hybrid form, or uses a 400V plus battery as a fully battery powered variant, a ‘traditional’ 12V battery is also fitted, and this is generally the cause of the breakdown.

“Not everything VMs incorporate is new”

In their quest to develop new technology vehicles, not everything the VMs incorporate is new, and the 12V system is the perfect example, as it remains integral to hybrids and EVs to enable them to perform vital functions. These include not only powering the lighting system, both internal and external, but the central locking, alarm, and other security features. It also powers the vehicle’s onboard computer and diagnostic systems and plays a role in starting the main high voltage (HV) battery pack.

The lifespan of a 12V battery is widely recognised within the industry as being dependent on its usage. Even with the best care, it will eventually fail. However, the cyclic nature of electrical loads and usage patterns in an EV can leave the battery in a discharged state, increasing the likelihood of premature failure. Events, such as the holiday season, can further exaggerate the problem, because, if left in a semi distorted state, two weeks of inactivity, alongside the daily electrical drains mentioned earlier, can potentially push the battery beyond its limits. This can leave it discharged and unable to operate its vehicle support functions, resulting in battery failure, and this is where the trade can benefit.

Although the VMs work hard to update their systems when they find these issues, in the meantime they provide a welcome opportunity for the aftermarket because, despite many workshops being wary of working on EVs, you should be encouraging them to embrace them, because the most likely cause of a breakdown, is due to one of the components that workshops are most familiar with.

You should stress, therefore, that before surrendering an EV to the franchised dealer network, workshops should first assess the condition of the 12V battery, and if that’s the issue, providing they use the correct protocols for working on a HV vehicle, installing a replacement not only solves a problem for the owner, but it also makes a profitable job.