Conventional flood lead-acid batteries (FLA) have been the standard in the automotive industry for years. They remain a convenient and affordable choice to start the car and power most standard electronics on board. 

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But most of today’s cars are far from standard. According to Stryten Energy, the number of electrical devices in modern vehicles has increased 500% in the past 20 years. Car manufacturers are amping up the electronics, including everything from heated seats and onboard entertainment systems to start-stop technology and parking assist. 

More power needs may need a more powerful battery. Enter the enhanced flooded battery or EFB. 

What Is an EFB Battery?

As the name implies, an EFB is an enhanced version of the conventional FLA. 

In both conventional FLA batteries and EFBs, a liquid sulfuric acid electrolyte creates electricity when it comes into contact with the lead plates. Although it’s still a wet cell battery, EFB is sealed and uses a polyfleece material to line the lead plates inside the battery. This offers additional protection for the lead plates and a more consistent energy flow than traditional batteries. 

EFBs also have carbon additives in the lead plates and a specially designed grid structure that transfers electrons more effectively. All these features make EFBs durable and reliable.

Best Uses for EFBs

When compared to conventional FLA batteries, EFBs perform better for high-demand applications where frequent stop-start cycles, deeper discharges and rapid recharging are needed.

Stop-start systems. One of the primary uses of EFBs is in the increasingly popular start-stop systems found in newer vehicles. The start-stop technology automatically shuts down and restarts the engine to reduce the amount of time the car sits idling. A conventional FLA would wear out quickly if required to constantly restart the engine, especially in high-traffic areas, where idling is the norm. EFBs are designed to handle these stop-start cycles without compromising battery life. 

Regenerative braking. Many electric and hybrid vehicles take advantage of regenerative braking to convert the energy usually lost during braking into electricity. The electricity is fed back into the battery. EFBs are built to handle the quick charge and discharge cycles brought on by regenerative braking. 

Warmer climates. The typical FLA lasts about 58 months in northern climates, but as you head south, where temperatures are hotter year-round, that number drops to as low as 41 months. EFB batteries have a higher heat tolerance, making them longer lasting than FLAs; they even tolerate high temps better than AGMs.  

FLA vs. EFB

  FLA EFB Sealed No Yes Lifespan 3-5 years Up to 6 years Approximate engine starts 30,000 85,000 Cycle Life 250-500 cycles 500-1000 cycles Duty Cycle 50% DOD 60% DOD Best for Traditional engine starts, basic accessory loads Small- to mid-range systems with stop-start technology, hybrid systems

 

EFB vs. AGM

EFBs were designed as a middle ground between standard batteries (which cannot handle the energy demand many modern vehicles have) and absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries, which are powerful but can be expensive. 

Compared to AGMs, EFBs have a lower cost upfront and a longer cycle life. EFBs also outperform AGMs in temperature tests, making them ideally suited for warmer climates. On the other hand, AGMs offer more electrical energy and can recharge up to five times faster. 

 

EFB vs. AGM

  EFB AGM Sealed Yes Yes Lifespan Up to 6 years 5-8 years Approximate engine starts 85,000 60,000 Cycle Life 500-1000 cycles 400-600 cycles Duty Cycle 60% DOD 80% DOD Best for Small- to mid-range systems with stop-start technology, hybrid systems High-powered vehicles like electric cars and trucks

 

When to Choose an EFB

First, look at the type of battery factory-installed in your vehicle. Many cars still come with a conventional FLA battery, but manufacturer-installed AGMs and EFBs are becoming more common. 

An EFB may be a suitable upgrade for a standard FLA. However, swapping out EFB or AGM batteries for a conventional FLA is not advisable. Before replacing your battery: 

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• Consult your owner’s manual and a battery specialist. 
• Consider your vehicle’s electric demand. If you have a start-stop system or other advanced electronics, an EFB may be better suited to your needs. 
• Check size, capacity and CCA. The size and terminal configuration should match your original battery. The capacity and cold cranking amps (CCA) should match or exceed the original battery. 

The Future of EFB

EFB adoption is steadily growing in the United States, but the batteries have been used widely in Europe since 2008. Today, about half of European cars come standard with EFB batteries, but EFB is set to overtake AGM (which held market share previously) in the near future. 

As U.S. manufacturers continue to integrate more technology into vehicles that make them safer and more comfortable, the more energy they will need. Over the next five years, the stop-start battery market, which includes EFBs, is expected to see a growth rate of about 19%. 

Clearly, EFBs are more than a passing fab. They are carving a significant niche in the automotive industry and beyond. The emergence of EFBs represents a move towards smarter, more resilient automotive solutions and a reliable and efficient future for drivers. 

EFB Enhanced Technology

VARTA® offers enhanced flooded battery (EFB) products that deliver superior reliability and performance compared to standard lead-acid batteries for automotive and commercial vehicle applications. Our batteries are built to meet customers’ individual needs and are manufactured in facilities throughout Europe to meet the highest quality standards.

EFB Technology for Cars

EFB batteries support applications that operate at a partial state of charge and don’t require the deep-cycling characteristics of an AGM battery. A polyfleece scrim material, added to the positive plate surface, makes this possible. This helps to stabilise the active material of the plates, which increases the endurance.

Benefits include:

• More than twice the partial state of charge and deep-cycling performance of conventional batteries.
• Support for a high number of engine starts and extended engine-off periods.
• Improved charge acceptance compared to conventional flooded batteries.
• Designs available that improve thermal stability for use in engine compartments and hot climates.
• Ideal for start-stop vehicle technologies without regenerative braking technology and for vehicles with higher-than-normal energy demands, whether that means a tougher drive schedule or multiple accessories and equipment installed.
• In addition, our EFB products are built with PowerFrame® grid technology for high starting power and reliable performance.

EFB Technology for Commercial Vehicles

The unique VARTA® Promotive EFB is a specifically designed battery for high-performance commercial vehicles and is the state of the art in acid stratification and vibration resistance. It is the only product in the market with mixing elements, exclusively developed and patented by Clarios, formerly Johnson Controls Power Solutions. EFB technology ensures reliable performance for all highly demanding applications and is ideal for end-of-frame installation.

Benefits include:

• A unique mixing element inside reduces acid stratification and is an optimum solution for all deep discharge applications. It’s a mechanical system that uses vehicle inertial forces to aid the mixing of acid in flooded batteries.
• Superior internal fixations with best-in-class hot melt: Very high vibration resistance and perfect fit for end-of-frame installation ensure highest product performance.
• The unique Labyrinth Lid design provides 100% spill protection and very low water consumption.
• High cycling ability is guaranteed by using PowerFrame® technology, improved positive paste and grid-to-mass adhesion. A polyfleece scrim material, added to the positive plate surface, sustainably improves cycle life performance.
• Minimizes warranty cost.

EFB Technology Features

Scrim is an additional polyester element between plate and separator. The scrim holds the active material in place inside the plate and avoids the erosion of mass. The result: enhanced deep cycle resistance and superior charge acceptance.

The glued fleece helps the plates keep their proper position at all times and in every condition.

Acid Circulation (Mixing Element)

The acid circulator avoids acid stratification. It’s a construction element that uses the natural movement of the vehicle to keep the acid inside the battery in constant circulation. The acid density stays at homogenous levels, which enhances charge acceptance and extends the overall battery life.

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