LC Technology

There are several words you can associate with our LC technology, but the most important aspect of this system is its potential to revolutionize the automotive industry at minimal cost to the producer.  The concept of combining carbon-enhanced lead-acid batteries with other fuel-efficient and performance-enhancing features, such as turbo chargers and starter generators, can actually help to provide a more efficient and cost-effective, yet still “fun to drive,” automotive system.

What makes Lead Carbon Batteries different from conventional VRLAs?
Quite simply, lead carbon batteries provide better performance in partial state-of-charge operations, making them optimal for applications requiring high-rate charging and recharging.  In hybrid electric vehicle operation, the battery has to remain at partial state-of-charge in order to receive and deliver frequent pulses of discharge and recharge current.  Experience has shown that conventional VRLA batteries quickly lose capacity under such conditions because of sulfation in the negative plates.  ALABC research has shown that the addition of certain types of carbon to the negative plate can inhibit this sulfation and thus allow these Lead Carbon VRLA batteries to function well in this application.

The LC Super Hybrid: Optimizing Engine Technology to Deliver ‘More from Less’
This technology is currently on display in the new LC Super Hybrid demonstrator vehicle, which was commissioned by the ALABC at AVL Schrick in Germany, with strong support from automotive technology companies Controlled Power Technologies (CPT), Valeo, Provector, and Mubea.  Based on a 1.4-liter Volkswagen Passat, this vehicle combines a next-generation lead carbon battery with Valeo’s electric super charger and CPT's enhanced starter generator.  The LC Super Hybrid keeps CO2 emissions low while generating very high torque, demonstrating that downsizing a conventional engine in this manner can have a significant environmental impact without minimizing the driving experience.