Turn the key, and the engine roars to life. That instant of power comes from a lead acid battery. The automotive lead acid battery market is the largest segment of the lead acid battery industry, and it is evolving with the changing automotive landscape.
SLI Batteries
The [LSI keyword: automotive lead acid battery market] is dominated by starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI) batteries. An SLI battery delivers a high current (hundreds of amps) for a few seconds to start the engine, then is recharged by the alternator. It also powers lights, wipers, infotainment, and other electrical loads when the engine is off. The automotive lead acid battery market is segmented by battery type (flooded, EFB, AGM), by vehicle type (passenger car, light truck, heavy truck, motorcycle), and by sales channel (OEM, aftermarket). Flooded lead acid is the standard; enhanced flooded battery (EFB) and AGM are used for start-stop vehicles and for vehicles with high electrical loads. The aftermarket (replacement) is larger than OEM, as batteries wear out every 3-5 years. The automotive lead acid battery market for start-stop vehicles (which shut off the engine at idle to save fuel) is growing; these require AGM or EFB batteries that can handle frequent cycling.
The automotive lead acid battery market is affected by the shift to electric vehicles (EVs). EVs do not have an SLI battery (the high-voltage traction battery powers the motor), but they do have a small 12V lead acid battery (or lithium) to power lights, wipers, door locks, and infotainment. So, the automotive lead acid battery market will not disappear; it will shift to a smaller, but still significant, auxiliary battery market. The automotive lead acid battery market for hybrid vehicles (HEVs) also uses lead acid for the 12V system.
Technology Trends: EFB and AGM
The automotive lead acid battery market has seen two key advancements. Enhanced flooded battery (EFB) is an improved flooded battery with thicker plates and a special additive to reduce sulfation. EFB offers better cycle life than standard flooded and is used in entry-level start-stop vehicles. The automotive lead acid battery market for EFB is growing. Absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries have a fiberglass mat that holds the electrolyte, allowing faster charging and higher cycle life. AGM batteries are used in high-end start-stop vehicles and in vehicles with regenerative braking (mild hybrids). The automotive lead acid battery market for AGM is the fastest-growing. The automotive lead acid battery market for "dual-purpose" batteries (combining starting and deep-cycle capability) is niche, used in marine and RV applications.
As the automotive lead acid battery market continues to evolve, the focus will be on reducing weight (to improve fuel economy in ICE vehicles and to offset weight in EVs), on improving cold-cranking amps (CCA) for cold climates, and on integrating with battery management systems (BMS) that monitor state of charge and health. The automotive lead acid battery market is mature but not static; it is adapting to the new automotive world.
Dive into related studies for a broader industry perspective:
English
Arabic
French
Spanish
Portuguese
Deutsch
Turkish
Dutch
Russian
Romaian
Portuguese (Brazil)
Greek