Over the last decade, Electric Vehicles (EVs) have emerged as pioneers of sustainability, offering a cleaner and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. EVs reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, exhibit higher energy efficiency and allow owners the ability to conveniently charge their vehicles overnight at home, taking advantage of off-peak electricity rates.
As EVs continue to grow in demand, it’s beneficial for both consumers and EV Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to understand the role lead acid batteries will play in powering these new age vehicles.
Before we dive into the specifics, it should be noted that there are a variety of lead acid battery designs, including more advanced options that feature Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) and Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology. The make, model and chemistry behind each lead acid battery product will impact its overall performance in EVs. For instance, a traditional 12-volt flooded lead acid battery might not make the most sense to use to power this unique, and highly advanced application.
With that said, just like the common cable box television set has advanced to videos that can be live streamed directly to our cell phone or smart device, the lead acid battery industry has evolved over the last 130+ years with the development of innovative technologies that complement the electrification of vehicles. Lead acid batteries offer affordability, are capable of meeting high current demands, deliver premium performance for frequent engine starts-stop systems and are highly recyclable.
Advanced, high-power, lead acid auxiliary battery designs, for example, can provide long-lasting power for anything from lighting and navigation to the lavish onboard electronics typically featured in EVs. In fact, a quality auxiliary battery can serve as an uninterrupted power supply above and beyond the vehicle’s main power source to operate all the onboard accessories – even when the motor (also referred to as the powertrain) isn’t running.
Safety is another important reason for the use of lead acid batteries in EVs. In most design cases, the electric subsystems within the EV operate close to passengers. If these systems were drawing power from the vehicle’s main battery pack, high voltage would be running through the passenger compartment. Many safety precautions would need to be layered into the design of the vehicle to help protect onboard occupants. Instead, separating these subsystems from the battery pack using a 12-volt lead acid battery is an excellent solution.
The Latest Advancement in EV Auxiliary Power
Batteries engineered with AGM TPPL technology, such as ODYSSEY® Extreme ODS-AGM14 batteries from EnerSys, are an ideal auxiliary battery option for hybrid and EVs and can deliver twice the power and triple the life of traditional flooded lead acid batteries. They serve as a dependable secondary source of power to help operate all the low-voltage onboard electronics including the radio, navigation systems, cabin lighting, dashboard features and automatic window and door locks.
Highly recyclable, temperature tolerant and maintenance-free, ODYSSEY® ODS-AGM14 batteries are manufactured with proprietary TPPL technology to provide ample deep cycling reserve power, with engine cranking pulses up to 3,125 amps for five seconds. TPPL technology also enables 400 charge/discharge cycles at 80 percent Depth of Discharge (DOD) to effectively manage the various accessories the auxiliary battery supports.
Compatible with several popular vehicle manufacturers, the ODYSSEY® ODS-AGM14 battery also features a vent port that’s designed to seamlessly fit factory specifications for the vehicle’s existing vent system. A non-spillable, AGM construction also helps make ODYSSEY® batteries resistant to mechanical vibration and high-impact shock – two of the leading causes of premature battery failure. The sealed design also eliminates the need to fill the battery cells with distilled water.
Lastly, the ODYSSEY® Extreme ODS-AGM14 battery also offers a capacity of 14 Amp hours (Ah) at the 20-hour rate, 220 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) and 18 minutes of reserve power. The operating temperature range is -40°F (-40°C) to 140°F (60°F).
Conclusion
For those who believe that lead acid batteries are a thing of the past – think again! While it’s true that lithium-ion batteries will continue to serve as the primary source of power in EVs as the industry grows, 12-volt lead acid auxiliary batteries, such as the ODYSSEY® Extreme ODS-AGM14 battery from EnerSys, will remain a reliable “co-captain” to help keep these high-end automotive vehicles in motion.
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ABOUT ENERSYS
EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, designs, 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. The company goes to market through four lines of business: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty and New Ventures. Energy Systems, which combine power conversion, power distribution, energy storage, and enclosures, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies, and numerous applications requiring stored energy solutions. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. New Ventures provides energy storage and management systems for various applications including demand charge reduction, utility back-up power, and dynamic fast charging for electric vehicles. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. 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/.
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