This is not the first time we’ve heard of lead-acid batteries and the possible benefits they may hold over what’s already being widely used. What we weren’t aware of was the existence of the European Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium (or EALABC), the Euro branch of ALABC.
It’s made plans to “inform automotive industry executives this week of the environmental and cost benefits of advanced lead-carbon batteries now being commercialised for a new generation of low cost 48V ‘super hybrid’ vehicles.”
The consortium’s intention is to explain why current lead-acid tech could be attractive to automakers in its current state. According to projects coordinator Allan Cooper, “the low additional cost of introducing 48V mild hybrid powertrains is proving a major attraction to carmakers, because it will help them comply with stringent CO2 regulations being introduced in 2020 with even tougher rules following in 2025.”
Cost is one of the main issues with batteries now, but with lead-acid the cost can apparently drop to under $250/kWh. Considering the fact that mild hybrids use much smaller batteries than regular ones, this should therefor not bring the total cost up too much.
The EALABC expects, according to Cooper, to be able “to reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 30 per cent compared with today’s baseline,” adding that “the low additional cost of €50-60 for each 1 per cent of CO2 reduction achieved is as little as one-tenth the premium of high voltage (200-400V) hybrids and pure battery electric vehicles – which presently are deemed unaffordable by the average motorist.”
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