New requirements for car starter batteries
In response to global climate change, defined CO2 limits for new cars have been in force in the EU
since 2012. Since then, automobile manufacturers have been legally obliged to gradually reduce the
CO2 emissions and thus the fuel consumption of their vehicle fleets. The introduction of the startstop
function marked the beginning of these new drive forms.
Actually, this start‐stop battery is available in two different technologies of which AGM is one. Next
to its advantages the AGM‐technology has also certain disadvantages as they are more expensive
than classic flooded batteries and they are sensitive to heat. Subsequently the battery industry was
still challenged to find new solutions. In this situation, MOLL is once again able to prove its reputation
as an innovation driver in the battery industry and will introduce the so‐called AFB‐technology
standing for Advanced Flooded Battery. The MOLL AFB is a real product novelty that can be used as a
direct replacement for AGM batteries.
Building up on the robust basic design of a classic flooded battery and with the experience from its
EFB development, MOLL´s AFB is even superior to AGM in central, practice‐relevant features such as
charge acceptance, recuperation capability (i.e. the ability to braking energy recovery) and, above all,
the so‐called micro‐hybrid capability.
Another decisive point is the adaptation of the MOLL AFB to the so‐called AGM on‐board network
behaviour. In practice, this means that a MOLL AFB will also get optimally charged if it is registered as
an AGM battery in the vehicle's on‐board network. With the MOLL AFB, the battery market now has a
direct alternative to AGM batteries: MOLL AFB ‐ the "better AGM".