GENNEVILLIERS, France – Exide Technologies has reached the milestone of producing 2.5 million micro-hybrid batteries in Europe. These advanced lead acid batteries are used in vehicles with Start-Stop systems aimed at cutting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Exide began production of these batteries in 2009 and they are now produced in two Exide plants in Italy and Spain.
In 2004, Exide was the first in the market to supply an Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) technology-based micro-hybrid battery for the Citroen C3, according to the company. The company says it also was first in the market, in 2009, with the Enhanced Cycling Mat (ECM) technology used by well-known European car manufacturers to power their Start-Stop systems.
Both the AGM and ECM batteries are 100 percent recyclable thus having a positive impact on the environment throughout the lifespan of the battery, the company says. The advanced lead acid batteries allow deep cycling combined with high charge acceptance, supporting Start-Stop, Energy Recuperation, Intelligent Charging and other advanced power train features to reduce CO2 emission and fuel consumption.
Today, a total of 10 European car manufacturers rely on Exide AGM and ECM batteries to be on-board their micro-hybrid vehicles, according to Exide. The company is the second-largest supplier of Start-Stop batteries in Europe. Since 2010, Exide has doubled its output of Start-Stop Batteries. The company says it will invest an additional $80 million to upgrade the production capacity for micro-hybrid batteries in Europe and is on its way to expand production from two plants today to four plants. In the U.S., Exide Technologies started the production of AGM batteries in 2010.
"We see micro-hybrid vehicles as a mainstream development and expect 70 percent of all combustion cars converting to this technology," said Michael Geiger, Exide’s vice president, Original Equipment Sales, Europe. "Europe is leading the trend and we see other countries following very shortly."
In Europe, the automobile industry must comply with strict emission standards. CO2 emissions for new passenger cars are limited to 130g/km by 2015 and 95g/km by 2020. The industry must be 60 percent compliant with these standards by 2012. Similar targets are also being set for Light Commercial Vehicles, requiring less CO2 emitting fleets in the future.
"These two technologies are truly the future for the automotive industry both in Europe and around the world," said Michael Ostermann, president of Exide Technologies Europe. "Our plan to focus on expanding production of this technology will allow us to strategically locate our plants near our customers – thus sustaining our close relationships and optimizing costs."
