Batteries
It is now five years since Ecobat Battery, the UK’s largest battery distributor, and Exide Technologies, one of the world’s leading original equipment (OE) battery manufacturers, agreed their strategic partnership, and a period during which both parties have enjoyed significant growth.
Buying a Varta car battery should now be a simpler process thanks to a new colour-coding system that aids the selection of the correct model. Varta Automotive has assigned a specific colour to each of its main product types. At the same time, the Clarios brand has extended its portfolio of advanced battery products, including new Li-Ion batteries for automotive applications.
Banner Batteries has appointed Andrew Russell as Business Development Manager for the North of England and Scotland. Reporting directly to Country Manager, Lee Quinney, Andrew Russell will be responsible for “targeting Banner’s diverse and growing customer base of motor factors, garages, independent distributors and other specialist automotive parts outlets”.
As the automotive industry accelerates its transition towards electric vehicles (EVs), the focus on sustainable practices has never been more critical. Central to this evolution is the lifecycle management of EV batteries, which poses both opportunities and challenges. As the future of the automotive industry is undoubtedly intertwined with the success of battery recycling, it has become a critical area for ongoing investment and development, says data and analytics company GlobalData.
Available immediately, the additions expand the existing portfolio of 20 MC AGM Ready batteries so the Exide AGM (dry) batteries have a ready-to-use equivalent. This follow the implementation of EU Regulation 1148/2019, which, since 2020, has prohibited the sale of battery electrolytes to end-users – driving demand for prepared batteries at the point of sale.
As is the case within the automotive sector, demands made upon modern truck batteries have continued to evolve In line with such progression has been evolution of Banner Buffalo product range that serves to meet the starter and on-board power supply of today’s commercial vehicles.
Clarios is helping make America great again with a US$6 billion plan to expand its manufacturing in the USA and to “accelerate American innovation.” The plan calls for both the expansion of existing operations and the building of new facilities, and Clarios anticipates that it will also “unlock innovation and create American jobs” thanks to recent executive orders and using federal advanced manufacturing tax credits.
Exide Technologies and the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Team have extended their partnership in a three-year deal, supporting the team in the Moto2 championship. Specifically, the Exide brand logo will be prominent on both riders’ bikes.
GSF Car Parts has agreed an exclusive deal with Indian battery manufacturer Amaron to stock a range of its products for the UK aftermarket. The Amaron brand is part of the Amara Raja group which manufactures automotive parts such as batteries and electronics.
The brand sells more than 50 million batteries per year in 60 countries, with the UK joining that list following this commercial partnership. Worldwide, Amaron service more than 100 national-level distributors, including two of the top five battery retailers in the world.
Energy storage solutions firm Clarios is “marking a milestone in advanced energy storage for modern vehicles,” having produced its one-millionth 12-volt lithium-ion battery on 31 January 2025. It credits “the support of its global network” – including its Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) cell manufacturing facility in the USA and system assembly plant in Europe – as being instrumental in achieving this milestone.
Manchester-based Eternity Technologies, which was founded by the Al-Dobowi Group and is owned by members of the Kandhari family, has acquired the production facility of EnerSys India Batteries Private Limited, located in Vijayawada, India.
According to the company, this strategic investment “reinforces Eternity Technologies’ commitment to India’s rapidly expanding economy and the increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions in logistics, power, and energy storage sectors.”
Exide Technologies has launched new labelling for its Exide Light Vehicle battery range. The reason? It “significantly simplifies battery selection”.
According to the company, the new unified labels feature a clear color-coded design based on the corresponding battery technology. Adhering to Exide Technologies’ new corporate identity, the update is also designed to “enhance brand awareness and brand recognition at the point of sale”.
Exide Technologies has added a new model to its Automotive Light Vehicle Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) range with the launch of the EK013. The news follows the recent launch of the EK454 and EK457, equipped with standard and thin taper terminals according to European Norm (EN) and Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) respectively.
LKQ Academy has partnered with battery manufacturer Varta to launch a new course on servicing hybrid, pure electric and hydrogen low voltage batteries. The first set of courses launched on 22 January 22nd.
The UK’s Vehicle Remarketing Association has released details of its first meeting of 2025. The association will discuss the key topics of electric vehicle (EV) battery repair and handling the fallout from motor finance discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs). The meeting will be hosted by member epyx at its Meriden, Warwickshire offices on Thursday, 6 February.
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