October 2020

OCTOBER 2020 AFTERMARKET 41 order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and its latest generation now features Carbon Boost 2.0 technology. Compared to a conventional battery, the new Exide EFB provides twice the charge acceptance, three times the cycle life and energy availability. It also offers significant performance advantages over a conventional battery when fitted to a car without a Stop/Start system. Laura added: “The Exide light-vehicle portfolio is rounded off with the Excell and Classic versions, which provide 15% extra starting power, with virtually 100% vehicle parc coverage and an economy solution respectively.” Responsibility Commenting on what happens at the end of a battery’s life, Banner Batteries Commercial CEO Andreas Bawart observed: “As a lead processing company we bear an especially large responsibility to the natural world. It is imperative, therefore, that our research and production takes place in accordance with the highest quality standards and environmentally compatible procedures. “Not surprisingly, as a founder member of the Starter Battery Environmental Forum (UFS), Banner demonstrate a recycling quota of virtually 100%. As a result, the Banner production process today utilises 98% recycled lead, while 80% of battery box material consists of polypropylene recyclate. Furthermore, since 2015 the company’s entire electricity needs have been supplied by renewable energy sources, 60% of which is used for battery charging. “Having started to recycle used batteries many years ago, reprocessed material is returned to the new product manufacturing operation using spoilt batteries that are collected by Banner in special containers. It is a procedure that has seen Banner collect more than twenty million used batteries to date, the valuable raw materials from which, such as lead, sulphuric acid and polypropylene then re-enter the production cycle.” He added: “In terms of lead alone, Banner has recycled approximately 200,000 tons, giving it the highest collection rate of all the recyclable goods on the market, even outstripping that of glass or paper.” Above: Following lockdown and the hot summer, VARTA says garages need to check the battery on every car coming through the door