Introduction
Car manufacturers are facing increasing environmental demands. These include the need to reduce CO2 emissions, a ban on the use of hazardous materials, and at the same time, the increasing energy consumption of modern cars.
Conventional lead-acid starting batteries have difficulties, due to their technological limitations, in meeting these challenges. In addition, they do not fully support car start-stop systems. Furthermore, start-stop systems significantly reduce the lifespans of lead-acid starting batteries. This increases not just overall battery costs but also amount of ecologically harmful waste.
Generally, the use of lead is banned by legislation applicable in the EU. Its usage in lead acid batteries is only possible due to an exemption laid down by the End of Life Directive. The exemption may be revised only when an alternative solution is available.
Goals
Olife has been developing a revolutionary lithium car starting battery that is a milestone in the evolution of the SLI batteries. It is the first full ecologic substitute to lead-acid batteries. It reduces hazardous waste by being completely lead-acid free and offers a significantly longer life span. It also reduces CO2 emissions and fuel consumption thanks to a lower weight and better usage in start-stop systems. Due to the technology, a high charge acceptance and negligible self-discharge characteristics there is less need for charging (saving car generator run-time) which further lowers energy consumption.
Olife´s goals are to complete the development and to demonstrate an industrial readiness and maturity for the primary market introduction - OEM, to build a brand awareness, to develop communication and dissemination activities for both the primary market and the aftermarket. This will be achieved by: 1) testing, modification and finalisation of the product development for the OEM market, 2) communication and dissemination activities, and 3) protection of intellectual property.
Olifes´ activities should actively contribute to cancellation of the Exemption 5 of the End of Life Vehicle Directive which will result in the complete ban of lead (heavy metal) use in car starting batteries in Europe.
