Las Vegas – This week Exide Technologies is showcasing its new “six-pack” style battery, the Vortex AGM, which uses a spiral wound construction to harness even more power for today’s consumers.
Larry Atkins, Director Advanced Batteries Global R&D for Exide, was enthusiastic about the potential of the new technology, which is on display this week at the Exide booth during the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX). The Vortex compresses battery material into a space that is configured in a cylinder shape.
“High compression helps the batteries work better, last longer and have more power,” said Atkins. “The target market is the guy out there who is doing things that need a lot of power.”
Exide plans to rollout the new batteries in spring 2013, beginning with a marine battery because of the timing of the launch, said Atkins.
The company is also leveraging the Vortex technology in some R&D efforts focused on hybrid battery technology. Exide has developed a prototype for a 2010 Honda Insight, which was on display in the company’s booth. The test version of the Honda features an array of small 2V lead-acid cells intended to replace nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery technology in the hybrid.
Atkins said Exide is shopping for an R&D partner to develop a lead-acid battery solution for hybrids.
“It gives the idea that we don’t really have to have exotic technology to make these kind of high end applications for power,” he said. “We can use the chemistry that we’ve been using for many years.”
