For a commercial fleet, a vehicle standing idle is rarely just a mechanical inconvenience. It can mean a missed delivery, a disrupted schedule, an unhappy customer, and additional costs. When vehicle availability is central to a business’s operation, reliability matters right down to the battery.
Commercial vehicles place very different demands on batteries from those experienced in ordinary passenger vehicles. Long operating hours, repeated starts, vibration, heavy electrical loads and demanding road conditions, can all take their toll. At the same time, modern trucks are increasingly dependent on electrical power, with telematics, tracking systems, cameras, refrigeration equipment and other onboard technology adding to the load.
For fleet operators, battery performance therefore forms an important part of keeping vehicles productive and reducing the risk of unnecessary downtime.
With a South African heritage stretching back more than 70 years, Willard Batteries has considerable experience of the conditions in which vehicles operate locally. Its battery range extends beyond passenger vehicles to commercial, agricultural, mining and construction applications, with commercial batteries designed to deliver the durability and performance required in demanding environments.
The Willard commercial range includes robust, vibration-resistant batteries for demanding applications. Willard Starter batteries incorporate Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) technology and a sealed, maintenance-free design, while different commercial battery options cater for the varied requirements encountered across the sector.
Vibration resistance is particularly relevant in commercial vehicles. Trucks can spend long periods operating on uneven roads, construction sites and other demanding surfaces, subjecting the battery to continual movement and shock. A battery designed to withstand these conditions is therefore an important consideration when selecting the appropriate battery for a vehicle.
Battery size and voltage are only part of that decision. Capacity, reserve capacity, battery technology and the electrical requirements of the vehicle, also need to be considered, while vehicles using 24-volt systems introduce additional considerations such as correct battery balancing.
The job of the commercial vehicle battery has evolved considerably. Where its primary role was once largely associated with starting the engine and supplying conventional electrical systems, today’s vehicles can carry an extensive range of electrical equipment. Fleet-management and tracking technology, onboard cameras, communications equipment, refrigeration units and other systems can place additional demands on the battery during the vehicle’s normal working day.
Selecting the correct battery for the application is consequently becoming increasingly important. A battery needs to meet the electrical requirements of the vehicle and the way in which that vehicle is used, rather than simply being a replacement that physically fits.
This also means that battery condition should not receive attention only when a vehicle fails to start.
Preventative battery management can help identify potential problems before they interrupt operations. Connections should be kept clean and secure, batteries should be firmly held in position to minimise unnecessary vibration, and their condition and state of charge should be checked periodically.
For fleet operators, battery testing can form part of a broader preventative-maintenance programme. Checking batteries during scheduled servicing and paying particular attention to vehicles operating under demanding duty cycles allows potential problems to be identified while maintenance can still be planned.
The benefit is greater predictability. For a fleet manager responsible for multiple vehicles, understanding the condition of batteries across the fleet makes it easier to plan maintenance and reduces the likelihood of a battery problem becoming an unexpected operational disruption.
Battery management does not end when a battery reaches the end of its service life. Lead-acid automotive batteries are highly recyclable, with Willard commercial batteries being up to 98% recyclable. Ensuring that scrap batteries enter established recycling channels allows valuable materials to be recovered and reused rather than unnecessarily entering the waste stream.
For fleet operators, responsible disposal can therefore become part of the organisation’s broader environmental and maintenance practices. Where substantial numbers of vehicles are involved, a structured approach to the entire battery lifecycle can make an important contribution to responsible fleet management.
Willard batteries are manufactured by AutoX, a South African automotive battery manufacturer with extensive local manufacturing capability and experience. This supports a brand that has been part of South African motoring for generations, while an extensive network of battery specialists, fitment centres, parts outlets and other stockists provides access to Willard batteries across the country.
That local knowledge is particularly relevant in a country where commercial vehicles operate across an enormous range of environments – from congested urban delivery routes and long-distance highways to farms, mines, construction sites and remote roads.
Whatever the application, a commercial vehicle earns its keep when it is working. For fleet managers focused on vehicle availability, operational efficiency and controlling maintenance costs, the battery is a relatively small component with the potential to have a much larger effect on operations.
Choosing the right battery for the application, monitoring its condition and managing it responsibly throughout its lifecycle can help ensure that one of the most fundamental parts of the vehicle continues to do its job, keeping South Africa’s commercial fleets moving.