Stop Start Batteries

You might be feeling a little overwhelmed by all the possibilities if you’re in the market for a new car battery. Even more so if you haven’t bought a car battery in a while, The AGM and EFB battery is one of the most recent advancements in passenger vehicle battery technology.

These car batteries are built specifically for use in current passenger automobiles with this technology.

Stop start (or i stop) batteries are a new battery system in modern vehicles that are specifically designed to save fuel and lessen vehicle emissions.

For automatic transmission vehicles, the engine automatically stops when it is stationary and restarts when the brake is withdrawn. For manual transmission vehicles, the engine restarts when the clutch is actuated, this system saves fuel at traffic lights and idle events..

In a conventional car, the engine continues to operate while the vehicle is stopped, wasting fuel and increasing operating expenses and emissions.

When the engine of these newer technology cars are not in use, it is totally turned off so no fuel is wasted, Because AGM and EFB batteries can cycle, power is still available to run the car’s accessories. This means that the radio and air conditioning continues to operate even when the car is idle.

These new battery systems are projected to reduce emissions by 3-8 percent and increase fuel efficiency by the same range.

For normal vehicles, ignition is switched only once in every journey. The engine runs throughout the drive until you reach your destination – a normal battery is designed for this. They produce a large burst of power which is then recharged by the car’s alternator through the duration of a ride.

With a conventional lead acid battery, repeated restarts would require multiple huge bursts of energy which rapidly discharges the battery before the alternator can fully recharge it.

Cyclic systems withstand double the load. They continue to be used after your car has been started and it runs even when the engine is off to power the auxiliary systems such as the radio, lights, and air conditioning.

AGM and EFB batteries have several unique characteristics that allow for significantly faster recharge and drain to a much deeper state than normal batteries, as well of maintaining a healthy state of charge. Aside from faster charging, the right battery allows to make use of newer car systems like battery management systems. These features are specially designed to lower vehicle emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

When shopping for i-stop car batteries, you’ll come across two types: absorbent glass mat (AGM battery) and enhanced flooded battery (EFB battery).

AGM batteries are the most powerful stop start batteries available. Rather than your ordinary passenger automobile, they are suited for bigger, more demanding cars.

Originally designed for military applications, the technology has been adapted to power the consumer car battery industry. AGM batteries are able to provide high cranking power for automotive systems, gear shift indicators, and modern in-car technologies.

They can deliver a deeper discharge without putting the battery at risk. AGM batteries provide the greatest hybrid battery solution for modern automobiles by combining high cranking power and deep cycle capability.

AGM batteries are generally specific to European made/designed vehicles.

The benefits of AGM batteries

• 3-4 times more cycling life than conventional batteries.
• Up to 8% lower emissions and greater fuel efficiency.
• Greater vibration resistance
• Lower internal resistance allowing faster recharging.
• High charge capacity, which is crucial for regenerative
  – – braking and energy management systems.
• Reliable, strong starting power even at low charge.
• Completely maintenance-free.
• 100% leak-proof and sealed, with no loose lead acid.

An enhanced flooded battery (EFB) is another type of battery you might come across.

These are simply more advanced versions of a normal lead acid battery created specifically for cyclic vehicles. EFB batteries are similar to normal flooded batteries in that they are wet-filled with electrolyte. The improved version has thicker battery cells which allow improved cycle life and charge acceptance.

If your vehicle already has an EFB, it must not be replaced with a traditional flooded battery. Similarly, an EFB or conventional flooded battery should not be used in a car that was designed to use an AGM battery.

EFB batteries are generally specific to cars built/designed in the Asian region.

The benefits of enhanced flooded batteries

• 2x cyclic durability of a standard flooded battery.
• Up to 6% reduced emissions and greater fuel efficiency.
• Designed to meet most OEM vehicle demands.
• Suited for entry-level cyclic cars.
• Fully sealed and maintenance-free.

In general, as governments around the world place tighter restrictions on CO2 equivalent emissions, stop start technology is becoming increasingly common.

Manufacturers may use this new technology to minimize emissions for necessary vehicles such as their trucks. This is a huge step towards a sustainable and healthier global environment.

Most automobile manufacturers around the world are now considering this new technology  in their upcoming vehicle ranges. Audi, BMW, Fiat, and Volkswagen, in particular, are known to advocate the usage of cyclic systems throughout Europe. These systems have also recently been utilised by American Ford automobiles.

Mazda and Subaru use this technology in their latest models.

While Toyota Australia first rejected this technology in 2017, many new hybrid Toyota models now incorporate this technology.