Battery specialist Ecobat Battery recently highlighted how there will be high ongoing demand for 12-volt batteries, even when it comes to electric vehicles. It has now completed research into EV breakdowns and the findings make interesting reading. 

Whether, pure EV, hybrid or mild-hybrid, a 12-volt battery is fitted in ever car. Research now shows that in common with internal engine vehicles, the number one cause of EV breakdown also turns out to be failure of the 12 volt battery. 

12 volt systems remain integral to EVs to enable them to perform vital functions. These include not only powering the lighting system, both internal and external, but the central locking, alarm, and other security features. It also powers the vehicles onboard computer and diagnostic systems and plays a role in starting the main HV battery pack.

These systems put significant load on the 12-volt battery. In an ICE vehicle, after providing a big burst of electrical energy to power the starter motor, the battery is recharged by an alternator and managed by the vehicle’s electronic control units (ECU), a process that has been refined over many years. However, with an EV, the 12-volt battery is performing a much more cyclic function, being charged by the HV battery and discharged by the 12-volt systems that rely on it.

It is well known that discharging a standard 12-volt SLI (starter, ignition & lighting) battery beyond 50% will reduce its life expectancy, but even if well managed, over time they will gradually deteriorate. This will naturally have an impact on the vehicle’s range, as more power from the HV battery has to be feed into the 12-volt system to maintain its performance. 

In an EV a strain can be put on the battery by remote communication, such as wake up features. These will discharge a battery over time. 

While vehicle manufacturers look to find way to improve their systems, in the meantime there is a welcome opportunity for the aftermarket because, despite many workshops being wary of working on EVs, it should be encouraging for them to know that the most likely cause of a breakdown, is due to one of the components that they are most familiar with.

Ecobat recommends that workshops should assess the condition of the 12-volt battery and if that is the issue, providing they use the correct protocols for working on a high voltage vehicle, installing a replacement not only solves a problem for the owner, but it also makes for a profitable job. 

As a major battery distributor, offering brands such as Exide, Lucas, Numax and VARTA, Ecobat Battery is ideally positioned to supply suitable EV 12-volt replacement batteries, whether utilising AGM, EFB or even traditional, SLI technologies.

As a result of its findings and to further assist the independent service and repair sector, Ecobat Battery has proactively updated its application data on its online Battery Finder, as well as its Numax and Lucas data on MAM Autocat, to provide all the necessary application links to these vehicles.

For further details, please visit Ecobat Battery at: www.ecobatbattery.com