Exide to launch advanced SLI-AGM battery for automotive market

Amid the growing demand for next-generation battery technology in the automotive market, Exide Industries Ltd is set to introduce a new advanced Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery for starting, light, and ignition (SLI) applications.

The lead-acid battery class based on AGM technology is nowadays seen as a high-performance option for four-wheelers, designed to give better starting power, improved durability and potentially longer life compared to standard lead-acid batteries.

“A few OEMs are now moving to more technologically advanced absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries, so the company is in the advanced stages of launching SLI AGM batteries for domestic and international markets,” the company said in its annual report.

Exide noted that SLI-AGM has become a preferred choice for latest-generation vehicles equipped with energy-saving features like regenerative braking, which stores energy within the battery instead of dissipating it.

“OEM expectations are now reaching a point where only advanced sealed AGM products meet their requirements,” the company said. Exide expects SLI-AGM batteries to become a dominant percentage of all four-wheeler battery requirements, particularly passenger cars.

Exide is developing the SLI-AGM batteries in collaboration with East Penn Manufacturing, USA. The new product will be for both domestic and international automotive markets. The company did give an exact timeline for the launch but said it is in the final stages of launching.

The Kolkata-based company reported a revenue of over Rs 16,000 crore in 2023-24. The automotive division accounts for around 70 percent of its business.

Meanwhile, the company is setting up a Gigafactory for lithium-ion cell manufacturing in Karnataka, which will have a total capacity of 12 GWh. The first phase of the facility with a capacity of 6GWh is expected to be completed in 2022-25.

Exide has a partnership with China-based SVOLT Energy Technology Co Ltd, which develops and manufactures lithium-ion batteries and storage solutions for multiple applications. Exide has secured the rights to use and commercialize SVOLT’s technology and know-how for lithium-ion cell manufacturing.

Recently, South Korean automakers Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Corp tied up with Exide to equip future electric vehicles in the Indian market with locally produced lithium-ion batteries based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry.

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