Driving into a green future with automotive batteries

Although South Africa is slow to adopt electric vehicles, some car manufacturers like BMW, Nissan and Jaguar are leading the race for electric cars in the country. With the increase in environmental concerns, vehicle manufacturers are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and are looking to technology and electric vehicles to help them reduce carbon emissions.

Two factors that are driving this commitment include start-stop technology and lithium-ion batteries that provide sufficient power for vehicles’ and ensure motorists go the distance.

Start-stop technology
Vehicles using start-stop technology are good for the environment and can reduce carbon dioxide emissions. More car manufacturers are adopting this technology, which includes using enhanced performance batteries, such as Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB) and Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries. These batteries have improved cycle life and charge acceptance.

Lithium-ion batteries
The battery of choice to power electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries are already being imported by South Africa’s battery specialists to power motorcycles. These batteries are ideal because their high energy, high power and faster charging, power vehicles for longer distances on a single battery charge.

Even with breakthrough battery technology, battery manufacturers continue to explore how to improve batteries that power vehicles.

What is the future of automotive batteries?
Researchers and manufacturers are looking at improvements in battery technology to further reduce impact to the environment. Here are some additional technological advancements manufacturers are exploring to improve their battery performance and reduce environmental impact.

1. Lithium-sulphur batteries
   Researchers at Monash University are testing lithium-sulphur batteries. This battery advancement has an even lower environmental impact than lithium-ion batteries and can power certain electric vehicles for 1 000km before needing a recharge.
2. Battery power from seawater
   In a breakthrough discovery by IBM Research, researchers discovered they could manufacture a battery from seawater. This technology charges faster than lithium-ion batteries, is powerful, suitable for electric vehicles, and free from metals including nickel and cobalt.
3. Improving lead-acid batteries
   New model cars are designed and manufactured to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. These vehicles’ reliance on start-stop technology will see an increased demand for lead-acid batteries, funding further improvements in battery performance.

As technology advances car batteries, the trusted battery specialists are ready for the trends and technology that keep vehicles powering on. Whatever your car battery needs, call on the battery specialists who can assess and service your vehicle battery twice a year.