United States 
Europe
Ride-hailing services are rides arranged in advance instead of being summoned from the street like taxis. Among these services is e-hailing, which enables people to arrange for a driver and vehicle through a smartphone app. This innovative software allows the rider to not only find and contact an available driver, but also get the cost of the ride and an arrival time, track the driver’s location, see an image of the driver and a description of the vehicle and pay for the ride in advance via a credit or debit card transaction. For the driver, the app also provides directions to the rider’s location via a Global Positioning System (GPS).
As the reach of ride-hailing services expands, more vehicles will be tasked with providing rides-for-hire, which will increase the demands made on these vehicles. For example, ride-hailing drivers must equip these vehicles with hands-free cellphone operation, digital road maps and routing algorithms that calculate wait times. Some drivers also furnish cellphone chargers for their riders to use. These devices are in addition to other onboard accessories that are included in today’s vehicles, such as fuel and emissions control, GPS, driver alert surveillance of nearby vehicles, cab climate control and Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS).
When a vehicle serves not only as a means of transportation, but also as a source of income, its reliability becomes even more critical. In addition to keeping up with maintenance and monitoring the vehicle’s condition, the driver must ensure that the battery is in optimal working order. The use of onboard accessories taxes the battery’s state of charge. It is essential that the vehicle’s electrical system has a stable voltage supply, and that depends upon the performance and reliability of the battery. Accessories that make a ride comfortable also consume, and eventually drain, the battery.
Drivers of ride-hailing vehicles should consider car batteries that provide deep cycling and discharge capabilities to help ensure the reliable operation of the car and its accessories. One battery that provides this level of power is the ODYSSEY® Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) battery from EnerSys®. The pure lead plates used in TPPL batteries are thinner than those made of lead alloys, so that more plates fit into the same battery footprint than those in other lead acid batteries. More plates provide greater surface area, and therefore, more electrochemical reactions with the electrolyte, to generate two times the engine cranking pulses of conventional flooded lead acid batteries. ODYSSEY® batteries also deliver up to 400 cycles at 80 percent Depth of Discharge (DOD).
In addition to TPPL technology, ODYSSEY® batteries are made with Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) construction, in which the plates are packed tightly with absorbent fiberglass separators that hold the electrolyte. AGM batteries are also sealed, making them spill- and leak-proof and eliminating the need for periodic watering. This makes AGM batteries virtually maintenance-free and safer to handle than conventional lead-acid batteries. Sealed AGM batteries, like ODYSSEY® batteries, also offer vibration and shock resistance, enabling them to withstand rough road conditions drivers may encounter, such as gravel and cracks in the road surface.
In addition to tolerance of rough terrain, ODYSSEY® batteries can perform in extreme temperatures from as low as -40ºF (-40ºC) to as high as 176ºF (80ºC). Their durability provides a service life of up to three times that of conventional flooded lead acid batteries.
The reliability, power, durability and longevity of ODYSSEY® batteries, as well as the time saved by being virtually maintenance-free, make them an ideal option for ride-hailing vehicles.
To follow the latest ODYSSEY® battery news, visit our website at www.odysseybattery.com or connect with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook by using the hashtag #MYODYSSEY.
ABOUT ENERSYS®
EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. Energy Systems, which combine enclosures, power conversion, power distribution and energy storage, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies and numerous applications. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles requiring stored energy solutions. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. With the NorthStar acquisition, EnerSys has solidified its position as the market leader for premium Thin Plate Pure Lead batteries, which are sold across all three lines of business. More information regarding EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com.
Sustainability
Sustainability at EnerSys is about more than just the benefits and impacts of our products. Our commitment to sustainability encompasses many important environmental, social and governance issues. Sustainability is a fundamental part of how we manage our own operations. Minimizing our environmental footprint is a priority. Sustainability is our commitment to our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. Our products facilitate positive environmental, social and economic impacts around the world. To learn more visit: https://www.enersys.com/en/about-us/sustainability/.