Environmentally friendly batteries with honours / Johnson Controls is given Volkswagen Group Award 2010 for sustainable energy storage system

Hanover (ots) -

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How can emissions and fuel consumption be reduced? Those are core
questions driving car manufacturers and suppliers in their
developments today. The focus is not only on the long-term objective
of the electric car but also the short-term objective aimed at
optimisation of Start-Stop vehicles. As today's market leader in
Start-Stop technology, Johnson Controls has worked with Volkswagen to
develop a unique new battery for Start-Stop vehicles that is both
high-performance and more resistant to heat. It gives car
manufacturers more design flexibility and is also suitable for
operation in hot countries. This operation, which will be further
developed for heat resistance, supports Volkswagen in the
implementation of its sustainability strategy over all climate zones.
Volkswagen recently honoured this new Johnson Controls battery with
its Group Award.

Experts agree that electromobility will be achieved in several
individual steps. "In the next few years the demand for cars at the
first hybridisation stage of Start-Stop technology will be greatest.
Solutions that reduce the fuel consumption and emissions in these
cars are in particular demand," says Eric Mitchell, Vice President
and General Manager at Johnson Controls Power Solutions EMEA. The
solution is called the AGM battery (Absorbent Glass Mat). It is the
heart of the system.

Particular demands on the battery

In Start-Stop technology the engine switches off automatically
when the car is stopped and is reactivated when the driver operates
the clutch or the accelerator. This places extra requirements on the
battery, which demands advanced battery technology to support. An AGM
battery allows the engine to start-up automatically, while still
providing power for lights and radio at all times.

On the way to a more heat resistant battery

The new technology improves the performance and life of AGM
batteries, especially in environments with high heat. By
modifications to the negative mass in the battery the energy store
becomes more corrosion-resistant and has a lower water consumption.
This gives car manufacturers flexibility to integrate the battery
into the vehicle where high temperatures generally arise. It is also
an advantage in hot climates where there is already a high
temperature under the bonnet while the car is parked.

Experts from Volkswagen and Johnson Controls developed the
technology in Hanover. The battery is produced in Zwickau and Hanover
in the standard sizes L5, L6 and L7 and supplied to almost all
Volkswagen Group production sites in Europe. This high- performance
and environmentally-friendly new battery is for use in all BlueMotion
models with Start-Stop function. In the future it also will be
available in several other vehicles.

Environmental protection also for the old battery

Johnson Controls is committed to environmental sustainability. For
decades the company has been a leader in the development of an
infrastructure to collect and recycle used batteries. Through its
"EcoSteps" initiative, every battery returned by customers and
workshops is completely recycled. The lead is almost 100 percent
reused in new batteries. The company is in addition supporting the
World Wide Fund (WWF) Germany with this initiative.

"We are very pleased about the Volkswagen Group Award and to be
appointed as one of Volkswagen's premium suppliers. It is at the same
time an incentive and confirmation of our pursuit for innovative and
sustainable solutions and also consistent customer orientation," says
Eric Mitchell.

The annual "Volkswagen Group Award" is an honor for
entrepreneurial total performance of suppliers that fulfill the
demands of Europe's leading auto manufacturer.

Johnson Controls is the leading provider worldwide of lead
batteries and energy storage systems for hybrid and electric
vehicles. In our 30 factories we produce more than a third of the
lead batteries produced worldwide for famous car manufacturers and
spare parts suppliers. With our innovations we promote and shape the
market for advanced energy storage systems for driving hybrid and
electric vehicles. Our Johnson Controls-Saft joint venture is the
first company worldwide to produce lithium-ion batteries for hybrid
vehicles in large volume production. Our first-class technologies,
production facilities and recycling expertise demonstrate the high
significance that we attach to sustainability.

Originaltext: Johnson Controls Power Solutions EMEA
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Further information can be obtained from:
Johnson Controls Power Solutions EMEA
VB Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
Ina Longwitz
Am Leineufer 51
30419 Hannover
Tel.: +49 511 975 1031
Fax: +49 511 975 1010
E-Mail: ina.longwitz@jci.com