Batteries
The producer of one in every three car batteries in use around the world has announced a new safety critical battery for electric vehicles. Clarios Smart AGM will monitor its performance in real-time, deliver continuous low-voltage power to optimise performance of the low-voltage power supply, anticipate the need for battery maintenance and provide safety critical operations.
Battery manufacturer Varta AG has enlarged its executive board to include Rainer Hald, the company’s 52-year-old Chief Technology Officer (CTO) as the third member of the body alongside Armin Hessenberger (CFO) and the Chairman, Herbert Schein (CEO) effective 1 January 2022.
Launch UK is aiming to kick-start the jump starter market with its new ESP-150 Battery Booster. Released in time for the winter season, the ESP 150 is designed for those moments when a vehicle just won’t start. It’s portable and has a battery capacity of 1500mAh to enable it to jump start a car up to 10 times.
Following its recent entry into the energy systems market, Birla Carbon will present a portfolio of conductive carbon solutions with its Conductex i and Conductex e series of products, along with its upcoming carbon-based solutions for the battery industry, at The Battery Show Europe in Germany this week. The company says it’s participating in the event in order to expand its geographic presence in Europe and globally while addressing customer needs.
Exide Technologies has released a new battery finder tool to help guide mechanics through the replacement process. The battery finder focuses on European parc vehicles including hybrid and electric cars as well as light commercial vehicles.
For battery brand Banner, highlight the quality and performance of products is key. And the fact that its products achieve original equipment (OE) standards is a central part of that. That’s why, as one of the founding members of the Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) and with Lee Quinney sitting on the advisory board, Banner reports that it is “committed and unequivocal about the importance of OE within the automotive aftermarket”.
Birla Carbon has announced its entry into the energy systems market with its participation at The Battery Show 2021 to be held in Novi, Michigan, USA from 14-16 September 2021. Key announcements include the presentation of a portfolio of conductive carbon solutions centring on the Conductex i and Conductex e range of products for lead acid and lithium battery applications.
Japanese Ambassador to the UK, Hayashi Hajime, visited global battery manufacturer GS Yuasa’s factory in Ebbw Vale on Friday 9 July as part of an official two-day visit to Wales to celebrate the strong connections between the two countries. During the visit, Hayashi Hajime toured the plant, which is owned by the Japanese based corporation and celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year, seeing first-hand how industrial batteries are produced by the 360-strong workforce.
Banner is introducing a new 50 Ah Running Bull AGM part number this summer as the starter battery compatible across a raft of models, such as the Suzuki Swift/Splash, Vauxhall Adam, Hyundai Kona and Kia Stonic. In what stands to be European aftermarket first for Banner, the Running Bull AGM 55001 part number is currently installed in the BWM i8 as a back-up battery, however – according to the company – that also makes it suitable as an upgrade for conventional back-up batteries in electric vehicles.
Nissan is set to invest £1 billion Nissan in building what it calls EV36Zero, “a world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem”, according to the company. Located alongside the company’s Sunderland factory, the project sees Nissan partner with Envision AESC, a battery maker, and Sunderland City Council. Comprised of three interconnected initiatives, Nissan EV36Zero brings together electric vehicles, renewable energy and a 9GW of battery production. With plans for a new UK-made Nissan-branded crossover car model incorporated, the factory investment is also welcome news for the original equipment tyre business, which has been hampered by reduced production and factory closures across the country in recent years.
GS Yuasa is using Welsh Government funding of up to £2.5 million to form part of a multi-million pound investment by the Japanese based corporation in its production plant in Ebbw Vale. As a result, 105 new jobs and a further 360 positions are protected.
As the brand’s key strategic supply partner in the UK and Ireland, Ecobat Battery Technologies (Ecobat) is highlighting Exide’s Carbon Boost products, which are described as “the batter[ies] of choice for workshops” – with Carbon Boost technology particular pertinent in times of reducing miles-driven figures.
Since being established 40 years ago in 1981, GS Yuasa Battery Manufacturing UK Ltd has produced over 85 million batteries at their Ebbw Vale production facility, employing over 360 skilled workers from around the local area to do so. Initially established as Yuasa Battery UK Ltd, the company name changed to GS Yuasa Battery Manufacturing UK Ltd in 2017 as part of the global roll out of the parent company name from Japan. The factory is located near the Brecon Beacons, and 30 miles from the Welsh capital Cardiff. Since being established in 1981, it has become a mainstay of the Rassau Industrial Estate on which it is based.
Exide Technologies is updating its Exide Premium range. The new black design utilises recycled components for reduced environmental impact: According to Exide Technologies, the change will lead to savings of 2,700 tonnes of CO2, 8 million litres of water and 1.2 million litres of crude oil in Exide’s manufacturing each year.
Varta
Launch UK
Exide Technologies
Banner
Birla Carbon
Banner
Nissan
AMTE Power
Yuasa
Ecobat, Exide