EnerSys technology tackles vehicle breakdowns
Battery manufacturer EnerSys has explained how, with more long-distance lorry drivers operating on double/ triple driver shift patterns, conventional vehicle batteries are struggling to cope with the demands of continuous use.
The move towards drivers sleeping in their cabs, now commonplace while trucks are parked up overnight, is also having a huge impact, says the company, as vehicles double up as hotel rooms with the battery becoming the sole source of power for cooking, heating, lighting and charging tablets or laptops.
Although engine starting currents haven’t significantly changed over the years, the growing electrical demands, combined with the need to support onboard facilities such as auxiliary heating systems, air-conditioning, mobile phone chargers and GPS devices, means that conventional vehicle batteries are failing more often.
As a result, hauliers are experiencing a sharp rise in vehicle breakdowns, the firm adds, with many operators and logistics companies picking up the cost of callouts and battery replacements, along with the inconvenience of unnecessary downtime.
To address these challenges, says EnerSys, more original equipment manufacturers, logistics companies and operators are switching to its Odyssey battery range.
Developed using next generation Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) thin plate pure lead (TPPL) technology, Odyssey batteries are said to provide superb deep cycle capacity to power the heavy usage required for hotel loading and double/ triple driver shift patterns, whilst also delivering the high cranking power required to start the engine time and again.
“Reliability is key for haulage operators as the risk of battery failure can have a devastating impact,” said Peter ‘t Hart, director of transportation for EMEA & APAC at EnerSys.
“As well as the immediate disruption to delivery schedules and the inconvenience of goods arriving late, there is also the cost of breakdown recovery and potential damage to brand reputation to take into consideration, that’s in addition to lost productivity and revenue.
“We understand the challenges of powering the ever-increasing electrical requirements of modern-day commercial vehicles, so Odyssey batteries’ AGM TPPL technology is a real game-changer for haulage operators who can’t afford to leave battery performance to chance.”
John Bentley, technical sales manager at distributor Ecobat Battery Technologies, added: “The haulage industry is seeing a huge rise in battery failure with many conventional batteries failing in just six to eight months as they simply can’t cope with the increased power outputs required by today’s commercial vehicles.
“By comparison, Odyssey batteries are lasting an average of four years, so it really is a no-brainer for haulage operators to invest in powering their fleet with this next generation battery technology.
“Although engine starting currents haven’t changed over the years, it’s clear there’s a growing need for a new type of high-performance alternative like Odyssey Battery, which is optimised to meet the increasing electrical demands of the modern fleet.
“Odyssey batteries are incredibly reliable and a smart investment for haulage companies that need to keep their vehicles moving efficiently, as well as for the logistics companies that are servicing hauliers and having to stand the unnecessary costs of call outs and battery replacement.”
Providing twice the power and three times the life of conventional batteries, Odyssey batteries are unaffected by extreme temperatures, says EnerSys, and can be stored at room temperature for more than two years, without the need for charging or maintenance.
Operators can visit ecobat.tech to locate their nearest Odyssey battery dealer, or visit the URL below for more information.
