ALABC : new directions

This paper describes the origins, and future plans for, the Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC). The Consortium was formed in 1992 and comprises most of the world's major lead-acid battery manufacturers, together with suppliers to the industry. For the first 7 years, the purpose of the Consortium's R&D program has been to advance the performance of the valve-regulated lead-acid battery in support of the new market for electric vehicles. A new phase of the program is now planned which will support the full development of all markets for VRLA batteries. This new program will enhance performance in partial state-of-charge and float applications, as well as the deep discharge duty with which the Consortium was initially, solely, concerned.