Clarios develops a smarter AGM battery

The producer of one in every three car batteries in use around the world has announced a new safety critical battery for electric vehicles to debut in the next two to three years. Clarios Smart AGM (absorbent glass mat) will monitor its performance in real-time, deliver continuous low-voltage power to optimise performance of the low-voltage power supply, anticipate the need for battery maintenance and provide safety critical operations.

Clarios says that OEMs already choose its AGM batteries to handle the increasing electrical loads of today’s vehicles, which must meet growing consumer expectations for safety, comfort, and connectivity. EVs require an advanced low-voltage battery as a key component of a multi-battery system to help provide continuous low-voltage power and provide crucial safety functionality in critical moments of emergency. As more autonomous features are added to vehicles, there will be an even greater reliance on the low-voltage battery.

“The Clarios Smart AGM will be a gamechanger for the industry, providing a reliable safety critical battery with real-time communications,” says Mark Wallace, chief executive officer of Clarios. “It combines the proven reliability, inherent safe chemistry and sustainability of AGM with the real-time intelligence of our Smart technology. Also, it will extend our Clarios xEV portfolio, a range of advanced low-voltage batteries specifically designed to maximise EV performance, safety and reliability.”

Clarios estimates that out of the 1.7 billion cars expected to be on the road by 2040, up to 50 per cent will be a combination of full and plug-in hybrids, as well as electric vehicles. Each vehicle will require an advanced low-voltage battery as a key component of a multi-battery system to help provide constant power and ensure crucial safety functionality. As more autonomous features are added to vehicles, there is even greater reliance on the 12V to protect against failures that put occupants at risk.

Smart AGM advantages

According to Clarios, Smart AGM provides “uniquely superior” functional safety performance to support vehicle reliability, offering real-time communications that:

• Identify potential issues in the battery before they happen
• Provide emergency power critical for EV and autonomous vehicles
• Anticipate required maintenance or replacement
• Optimise performance of low-voltage power supply

The manufacturer adds that Clarios Smart AGM “provides the most reliable 12V power management system” for the functional safety of critical vehicle operations, including advanced safety and autonomous applications. The Smart AGM battery is designed to reduce or eliminate internal failure modes, provide continued power supply operation with no leakage during crash events and monitor battery performance over time, supporting multiple vehicle use cases.

Integrated approach to battery electronics

Currently 12V batteries are managed through an external sensor that is placed on top of the battery. With Smart AGM, Clarios developed an integrated approach to the electronics in the battery.

“Smart AGM monitors its own performance in real time,” explains Jason Searl, vice-president of product management. “The battery system senses, diagnoses and communicates the battery condition with the ability to support safety critical functions as well as anticipate required maintenance or replacement.”

The Clarios Smart AGM battery will be in production within two to three years, joining a portfolio of low-voltage battery technologies that includes advanced AGM to lithium-ion. Clarios was formed in 2019 through the sale of Johnson Controls’ Power Solutions division to Brookfield Business Partners; the company sells its products under the Varta, LTH, Heliar, Optima, Delkor and MAC brand names.