Since the turn of the millennium, start-stop technology has been introduced in more and more vehicle segments and models to comply with increasingly stringent emission regulations. Nowadays, there are hardly any new vehicles that are delivered without a start-stop function. In other words, the newer the vehicle, the more likely it is to feature automated engine shutoff.

If the car is equipped with a Battery Management Sensor, it has a Start-Stop system or at least a Smart-Charging System that requires advanced battery technology such as AGM or EFB

For a car with a start-stop system, the recommended battery types are Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) or an Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) battery.

If an AGM battery is already installed in the vehicle, it must always be replaced with another AGM battery since the vehicle's Energy Management could overstress a Flooded battery which leads to shortend battery lifetime.

Although both AGM and EFB technologies are used for Start-Stop applications, there are some differences in the technologies' performance. While EFB is an improved flooded battery, AGM is a battery specifically designed for demanding applications and able to support any types of Start-Stop systems and even xEV.

Downgrading from an AGM to an EFB is not recommended since the vehicle's Energy Management System is designed for a certain battery performance. Upgrading from EFB to AGM on the other hand, is always possible and advised when your customer faces recurring battery issues.

Find more on AGM, EFB, xEV and more in our Knowledge section.