batteries

Leoch Battery UK, a subsidiary of Leoch International, has supplied its LC2 series of lead-carbon batteries to power an electric serial hybrid narrowboat. 

The bank of 48v 800Ah batteries will be installed in the engine room of the ‘Old Nick’ narrowboat as a test reference design in this particular application.

Solar, generator and battery statistics will be published to demonstrate how an electric serial hybrid is a practical and cost-effective alternative to diesel.

Paul Sumpner, owner of Old Nick and chief technology officer at Digital Yacht said: “Lead carbon batteries have been overshadowed by lithium batteries in recent years, probably because they do not excel in any one particular area. 

“However, whilst investigating the batteries for Old Nick, it became clear that the combination of cycle life, depth of discharge, safe and flexible installation, cost and most importantly ability to accept regular partial state of charge, make them a really good choice for electric propulsion on a narrowboat.”

Chinese battery OEM and electric vehicle maker BYD will transform old batteries into energy storage systems through a partnership with Chinese lithium-ion recycling start-up Pandpower and Japanese trading house Itochu.

Old battery packs from buses, taxis and other vehicles manufactured by BYD will be collected from dealerships across China and turned into ship-container-sized power units for renewable energy and factories.

Researchers from the University of Houston and the Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA) have developed a new cathode and electrolyte that could help magnesium batteries compete with lithium-ion.

The teams have demonstrated a magnesium battery capable of operating at room temperature and delivering a power density comparable to that offered by lithium-ion batteries.

United Arab Emirates lead-acid battery maker Eternity Technologies has opened its first plant in the US to make batteries for the forklift market.

The plant in Sherman, Texas was opened in October to manufacture its full range of BCI 2 volt low maintenance and enhanced capacity batteries for the US, Mexican and Canadian markets.

The root cause of fires that pushed General Motors to recall 68,667 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles is unknown but “could be” related to overcharging the high voltage lithium-ion batteries produced in South Korea by LG Chem. 

Concerns the batteries could catch fire when fully charged has led the US federal vehicle safety agency National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to recommend charging up to 90% capacity until a software update is completed.