Ford joins EU research on advanced lead batteries

Collaborative research is underway at the Ford Research and Innovation Center in Aachen, Germany, to investigate gassing and water loss in lead batteries and how it interacts with Dynamic Charge Acceptance (DCA) of batteries.

The project explores when and how fast gassing and water loss can occur, and any impact it has on the ageing of batteries in the vehicle. With the support of the Consortium for Battery Innovation (CBI), an innovative portable eGAS device has been developed in collaboration with measX and Ford that allows the monitoring of gas flow in the battery, in-situ and in real time.

The portable eGAS device developed in collaboration with measX and Ford allows monitoring of gas flow in the battery in real time

DCA is the battery property which enables instant energy capture through regenerative braking and is a key technical parameter for micro and mild-hybrids.

Crucial for low-emission vehicles, CBI has set it as one of the highest priority research goals for the industry. Attaining this target is essential for maximising the performance of advanced lead batteries in hybrid vehicles. The global micro-hybrid market alone is increasing rapidly, with 82% of car sales predicted to be micro-hybrids by 2030 in Europe.

One of the key findings of the research established that standard laboratory tests do not accurately represent the performance of lead batteries in field conditions with regards to water consumption, and therefore the device opens new pathways for monitoring battery performance.

Battery producers and car manufacturers can now better understand the condition of batteries in their vehicles using the portable eGAS device, as opposed to the conventional methods of weighing batteries every few months to determine gassing and water loss.

This ground-breaking project has delivered insights into automotive lead batteries and is vital to ensuring the continued performance improvements for the technology for start-stop and micro-hybrid applications.

The global automotive sector relies on lead batteries. From starting the engine in conventional vehicles, enabling low-emission start-stop technology and powering key functions in micro-hybrids, to being used as auxiliary batteries for electric vehicles, lead batteries are present in virtually every vehicle.

Originally published by Consortium for Battery Innovation.

Read more for why analysts predict a high-growth future for lead batteries – a technology necessary for a decarbonised future.

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