New Lead-Acid Battery Tech Reduces Weight, Increases Energy Storage

Via Green Car Congress, Firefly Energy has come up with a novel foam design for lead-acid batteries that greatly reduces problems with sulfurization and corrosion while reducing weight and increasing performance. The new batteries provide 170 watt-hours per kilogram, versus 30 Wh/kg with conventional lead batteries. The big difference is a graphite foam core upon which the lead sits, increasing surface area and reducing material requirements (removing half to two-thirds the lead), so the new batteries are much less heavy as well. The batteries are expected to find application in plug-in hybrid automobiles, as well as conventional vehicles, where their weight savings will also translate to energy savings.