A new study confirms importance of lead-based battery technologies in automobile applications

The International Lead Association (ILA) has welcomed a new study by Europe’s automotive and battery industry which concludes that lead-based batteries will by necessity remain the most widespread energy storage system in automotive applications for the foreseeable future.

The study, A Review of Battery Technologies for Automotive Applications, comes at a time when ILA is working on behalf of the lead industry to maintain the exemption for lead-based batteries within the EU End of Life Vehicle Directive’s wider ban on lead in light-duty vehicles, due for review in 2015.

ILA Managing Director, Dr Andy Bush, said: “This study highlights the technological and socio-economic advantages of lead-based batteries to power a vehicle’s starter motor, lights, and ignition system.

“ILA believes that the conclusions of the study will considerably strengthen the case for the continued use of lead-based batteries in automobiles as a reliable, cost effective, safe, and fully recyclable energy storage solution.”

The study concluded that 12V lead-based batteries are the only battery technology tested for the mass market that satisfies the technical requirements of conventional vehicles (including start-stop and basic micro-hybrid vehicles) and that it is not possible to replace one battery technology by another without impacting the overall performance and vehicle cost.

It also confirmed that lead-based batteries are essential in providing energy storage solutions, not just for conventional, start-stop and micro-hybrid vehicles, but also for plug-in hybrid and full electric vehicles working alongside other battery technologies.

Among the advantages of lead-based batteries are their low cost and unparalleled ability to start the engine at cold temperatures in conventional and micro-hybrid vehicles plus their use as auxiliary batteries in all other automotive applications.

The report also advocates that where substitution between battery technologies is possible, this should be left to the manufacturers of applications, so they can chose the most suited batteries for their products. The EU’s legislative and regulatory framework should also guarantee a fair and technology-neutral competition between battery technologies.

The study, A Review of Battery Technologies for Automotive Applications, reached its conclusions on the continued application of existing battery technologies using the combined input of EUROBAT, representing Europe’s automotive battery industry, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the automobile manufacturers’ associations of Japan (JAMA) and South Korea (KAMA), as well as contributions from the International Lead Association.

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