Visitors looking for the Exide Technologies IMHX stand had a double surprise this year; first of all, all the logos and banners on the stand read 'GNB Industrial Power' following a global rationalisation of division names by the Exide Group. In the UK, and across Europe, the industrial division will now be known as GNB Industrial Power. Secondly, taking pride of place on the stand was not a forklift truck as would be expected, but a brightly coloured Honda Insight.
This particular Insight is a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) that has been retro-fitted with GNB's Advanced Lead Carbon AGM batteries - the type often used in walk-behind power pallet trucks. "It is ironic that the 151-year-old lead-acid battery is able to be completely reinvented to meet the needs of these new applications," said Dr. Paul Cheeseman, Vice President, Global Engineering and Research for Exide Technologies. "Until recently, the high power density of lead-acid has been overlooked for HEV applications because virtually none of the designs seemed optimal. The reality is that the battery requirements of the HEV - with its short, frequent cycles and infrequent over-charging -actually fit the characteristics of AGM lead-acid chemistry." The AGM batteries feature high charge acceptance, partial state of charge operations, and an enhanced cycle life when compared to standard batteries. In 2005, the Exide group was the first supplier of an AGM battery used in a start-stop system for Citroën.
Nigel Darke, Business Director comments "No matter what name we go under, for over 150 years we've been looking to improve stored energy technology and find new applications. The beauty of being part of such a large global company is that advancements in one market then work their way through to other applications and products."
Contact:
GNB INDUSTRIAL POWER
CMP Batteries Ltd
PO Box 1
Salford Road,
Over Hulton
Bolton
BL5 1DD
United Kingdom
Tel: 01204 661460
Fax: 01204 661479
Email: sales-uk@eu.exide.com
www.exide.com