The Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium/spl minus/an overview

The Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium−the ALABC−was formed in March of 1992; its charter was based upon a 4-year/$19.3 million research plan that was intended to optimize lead-acid technology for electric vehicle (EV) applications. It is an organization primarily funded by the lead producers world-wide, but one whose research program is largely driven by the battery company members; it is a program of the International Lead Zinc Research Organization, ILZRO. ALABC has 47 members worldwide and represents about 80% of the lead and lead-acid battery industries on a global basis. Nine projects are funded and a European Brite-Euram II program comprised of 10 additional projects is scheduled to begin on 1 January, 1994; during 1994, an additional 8-10 projects will be initiated. ALABC has a 2-year/$2.8 million contract with the US Department of Transportation through FTA to develop fast charging and battery management systems for transit vehicles, primarily buses. In addition, ALABC is planning to form cooperative ventures and demonstration projects with several other consortia to promote the implementation of lead-acid valve-regulated batteries in transit buses.<>