Lead acid based low voltage mild hybrid application in India — merits and challenges

In recent years, OEMs have increased focus on development of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (xEVs) in order to reduce vehicle emissions and dependency on conventional fuels. Energy storage systems are a critical consideration when formulating a strategy relevant to type of hybridization and vehicle. Though many battery technologies and different chemistries have matured, Lead-acid batteries still insist consideration because they have undergone their own remarkable evolution to keep up with the demand for greater efficiency. Given their inherent superior low temperature performance, standardized packaging boundary, less cost and better safety record, consideration bucket only hinges on overall cycle life and power performance and charge acceptance improvements. With advanced formulations leading to improvement in Lead batteries and advent of next Gen lead batteries, life and performance has been dramatically increased to enable serious consideration as a candidate for mild Hybrid applications. This paper will summarize the shortfalls of conventional Lead acid batteries and the advantages of Advanced Lead batteries. Typical merits and challenges faced in estimation of battery state and observations, improvement methods are also discussed in the context of Belt Starter Generator (BSG) based Low Voltage (LV) mild hybrid application in India.