European automotive and automotive battery industries call for extension of the exemption of lead-based batteries from the EU ELV Directive

18 December 2014

The EU must continue to allow the use of lead-based batteries in vehicles as they are essential for the needs of future generations of European cars, according to the automotive and automotive battery industries in Europe. Lead battery and car manufacturers have requested that the current exemption for lead-based batteries within the ELV Directive’s wider ban on lead in light-duty vehicles is maintained for at least another eight years.

The comments are part of the formal submission made by the industry group to EU regulators who concluded the public consultation phase of the review of the End of Life Vehicle (ELV) Directive this week. Following the consultation the Commission is expected to release its opinion in the first half of 2015.

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The recommendation by EUROBAT, the European, Japanese and Korean car industry associations (ACEA – JAMA – KAMA) and the International Lead Association (ILA), is backed by a series of studies on the technical benefits of lead-based batteries and their sustainability, which includes their 99% recycling rate in Europe and the general availability of the natural resources used to make up the battery.

Part of the evidence submitted to the EU Commission is a study—A Review of Battery Technologies for Automotive Applications—which found that there are at present no alternatives, either technically or economically, to lead-based batteries for the SLI (Starting – Lighting – Ignition) function in vehicles. This means lead-based batteries are essential in virtually all conventional ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles, hybrid vehicles (mild, micro and Plug-in-HEV, PHEV) and full electric vehicles.

All hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric vehicles equipped with high-voltage, advanced rechargeable battery systems also utilize a second electrical system on 12V level for controls, comfort features, redundancy and safety features. This electrical system is in all cases supplied by a 12V lead-based battery, the groups said.

The study also concludes that lead-based batteries will remain the only viable mass market energy storage system in automotive applications for the foreseeable future. Their low cost and unparalleled ability to start a car engine at cold temperatures sets them apart in conventional and basic micro-hybrid vehicles, and as auxiliary batteries in all other automotive applications.

Three additional studies also highlight the positive sustainability and environmental credentials of lead-based batteries that are an excellent example of the EU circular economy in action. The studies show:

• At the end-of-life, lead-based batteries have a 99% collection and recycling rate in a closed loop system, making lead-based batteries the most recycled consumer products in the EU.

• Using lead batteries in start-stop or micro-hybrid systems can result in emission savings of between 700-1600 kg CO₂ equivalent over a vehicle’s lifetime.

• The high recycling rate means that the environmental impacts of lead-based batteries, compared to the overall environmental impact of a vehicle, is negligible.

• There are no current or future resource availability issues with metals used in lead-based batteries.

The review. A Review of Battery Technologies for Automotive Applications assessed in depth the performance profiles of the automobile battery technologies currently in use:

1. Conventional vehicles, including start-stop and basic micro-hybrid vehicles are equipped with a 12V lead-based battery, which is required to start the engine and supply the complete electrical system, and can also be expected to provide start-stop functionality, as well as the entry class of braking recuperation and passive boosting.

   Due to their excellent cold-cranking ability, durability and low cost, 12V lead-based batteries remain the only battery technology tested for the mass market that satisfies the technical requirements for these vehicles. This is expected to be the situation for the foreseeable future.

2. Hybrid vehicles, including advanced micro-hybrid, mild-hybrid and full-hybrid vehicles rely on the battery to play a more active role, with the energy stored from braking used to boost the vehicle’s acceleration. In full-hybrid vehicles, the stored energy is also used for a certain range of electric driving.

   Several battery technologies are able to provide these functions in different combinations, with nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries coping best as requirements increase, due to their fast recharge, good discharge performance and life endurance. At high voltages, lead-based batteries are so far limited by their more modest recharge and discharge power and capacity turnover.

3. In plug-in hybrid and full electric vehicles, high voltage battery systems (up to 100 kWh for commercial vehicles) are installed to provide significant levels of electric propulsion.

   Lithium-ion battery systems remain the only commercially available battery technology capable of meeting requirement for passenger cars according to EV driving range and time, due to their high energy density, low weight, good recharge capability and energy efficiency. Other battery technologies (nickel-metal hydride, lead-based etc.) cannot deliver the required level of performance for these applications at a competitive weight.

   For commercial applications, harsh environments and heavy duty vehicles, high-temperature sodium nickel chloride batteries are a competitive option.

EUROBAT, the Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers, acts as a unified voice in promoting the interests of the European automotive, industrial and special battery industries of all battery chemistries. Its more than 40 members represent more than 90% of the automotive and industrial battery industry in Europe.