Varta CV Batteries Undergo Four-Year Test

Battery manufacturer Johnson Controls has undertaken a four-year test to confirm that its PROmotive range of calcium-silver alloy premium quality truck batteries provides greater performance than traditional lead acid batteries.

The test programme involved commercial vehicles fitted with PROmotive and traditional batteries, operating in the harsh cold climate of northern Scandinavia and also in southern Europe. Demanding CV applications were chosen, ranging from typical delivery truck stop start and tail lift cycles giving little time for batteries to recharge, to long distance haulage with trucks equipped with numerous heavy power consumers.

Johnson Controls says that the data gathered provides CV operators with clear proof of the benefits of fitting a better quality, longer lasting battery.

Field test 1 involved Volvo FH timber trucks fitted with 225 Ah batteries in constant daily use in the Lulea polar region, with additional lighting for 24 hour operation. Over the four years, averaging 200,000 km annually, the capacity of the PROmotive batteries never fell below 100 per cent, while the traditional batteries provided only 70 per cent capacity at the end of the trial. Water loss for the Varta batteries was minimal, meaning zero maintenance costs and longer service life.

In field test 2, Volvo FM and FH trucks used in long distance haulage in southern Europe were fitted with 225 Ah batteries of both types. All trucks were fitted with fridges, TV and microwaves and daily use averaged 16 hours, with eight hours at a standstill. Again, despite the higher temperatures, there was negligible water loss from the PROmotive batteries and they provided 100 per cent power throughout, compared to 70 per cent for the traditional batteries.

The third test involved a fleet of Volvo FL commercials used for delivery work in Göteborg in Sweden, fitted with both 170 Ah and 225 Ah batteries. All had radio sets and tail lifts – which place a particularly high demand on the battery – were used 20 – 40 times a day. Annual distance travelled was 22,000 km with eight hours city use and 20 – 40 stop/starts a day. The Varta batteries returned 80 per cent capacity at the end of the test programme, compared to 60 per cent for lead acid batteries.