With lead acid batteries being used in hybrid and electric vehicles, Andy Cook, Senior Technical Representative at Clarios, looks into what the future holds for these batteries in the aftermarket.
Have you ever wondered what happens when the lithium-ion battery in a modern electric or hybrid electric vehicle stops working? Look under the bonnet and you will find your answer. Alongside the high voltage lithium-ion traction battery you might find a second one: a 12V battery acting as a second power source to ensure the uninterrupted function of safety critical systems, in the event of a traction battery failure, as well as key offloads like the central locking system.
Car drivers today find that more and more comfort and safety features like lane assist, front assist or the proactive occupant protection are handled by onboard smart systems. The same goes for the majority of the car’s monitoring functions, which are also operated by automatic control systems. This in turn increases the need for a reliable, high-performance power supply. Varta AGM and EFB batteries have proven their reliability in this regard for years, making them the perfect companion in supporting the 12V electrical system of electric or hybrid electric vehicles.
Old but not old-fashioned
Lithium-ion batteries are considered the successor for lead-acid technology when it comes to the drivetrain of electric or hybrid electric vehicles. However, they are not as inherently robust as other rechargeable technologies and require continuous monitoring. Lithium-ion cells need protection from being overcharged and deep discharge. Additionally, they need to have the voltage maintained within safe limits, making a special protection circuitry mandatory. A further aspect of the protection circuitry is that the cell temperature needs to be monitored to detect and avoid critical malfunctions.
This is where already proven solutions like AGM and EFB play to their strengths. They step in when the high voltage battery fails or switches off, to lock and unlock the car and also serve as an additional power supply to buffer the electrical system. They ensure that important safety functions such as ABS and ESP are working at all times. AGM and EFB batteries are far from being obsolete. Their construction and behaviour, as well as their lack of electronics, make them a reliable and robust power source.
The Varta 12V battery portfolio is ready to support vehicles today and electric vehicles in the future. They also have sufficient spare capacity to reliably supply future consumers. Our batteries deliver energy for crucial safety systems, comfort features and fuel-saving functions, today and tomorrow.
Varta for electric vehicles
As the number of electric and hybrid vehicles continues to grow each year, the replacement of the lead acid battery on board these vehicles will also increase. Branch staff at a motor factor can feel confident in offering Varta as a replacement to these lead acid batteries. Factor staff can use our battery look-up tool, the Varta Partner Portal, to identify the correct battery part number for EVs and hybrids. You can access the Varta Partner Portal here: www.rdr.link/FZ024
