The unique cost and performance advantages of NiZn over other advanced chemistries make it an extremely promising alternative for 12V lead-acid batteries in electric vehicles and stop-start applications. This independent technology assessment is a key step in endorsing NiZn battery performance gains for use in PHEV and EV applications, as well as future stop-start models, for major automotive OEMs.

—Professor Bernard Bäker, Managing Director at IAD

With up to 200% more usable energy and 30% lower weight and volume, NiZn offers benefits over lead-acid batteries as a replacement for 12V auxiliary systems in PHEVs and EVs. Weight carries a high premium in these vehicle architectures, which in turn imposes limitations on their all-electric driving range capabilities. Furthermore, NiZn contains over 90% recyclable materials, with no lead or rare earth metals.

PowerGenix says that major global automakers are working towards adopting NiZn for their 12V stop-start vehicle applications. Current estimates put stop-start efficiency improvements at approximately 5%, while next generation systems with NiZn may achieve savings as high as 8%. With lower weight, significantly improved service life and high sustained charge acceptance, NiZn is a promising alternative to lead-acid, offering further fuel economy improvements.