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GM Returns to Lead-Acid Battery for Malibu Stop-Start Power
General Motors Co. is dropping the lithium-ion battery from its 2014 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan in favor of a less-costly lead-acid unit to power the car's engine stop-start fuel-saving system.
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General Motors Co. is dropping the lithium-ion battery from its 2014 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan in favor of a less-costly lead-acid unit to power the car's engine stop-start fuel-saving system.
As a result, GM is making its eAssist stop-start technology, a $1,500 option last year, standard on all 2014 Malibu models.
The Malibu's new stop-start system uses a small lead-acid battery in the trunk and a larger lead-acid battery under the hood. They restart the car's 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine after it automatically shuts off when the driver stops for a traffic light. The engine restarts when the driver releases the brake. GM says the system improves fuel economy by about 8%.
The new battery arrangement recaptures much of the 25% of the Malibu's trunk space that was devoted to the lithium-ion battery. GM says the new trunk-mounted lead-acid battery is about the size of a half-gallon carton of ice cream.
GM likely will continue using the lithium-ion-powered eAssist system in larger, heavier vehicles such as the Chevrolet Impala and Buick Regal.
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