LG Chemicals is supplying batteries to Japan’s Yamaha, which has the best shares in global golf cart markets. It seems that mainstream of battery that is used for golf carts will be changed from lead store batteries to lithium-ion batteries. Following electric cars, South Korea’s lithium batteries’ position globally will become even stronger as they are supplied even to golf carts.
LG Chemicals announced on the 4th that it was chosen as a supplier of lithium-ion secondary batteries to Yamaha Motors’ golf carts and earned rights to supply batteries until end of 2016. This is the first time when South Korea’s batteries are exported for golf carts, and Yamaha’s golf carts that have LG Chemicals’ batteries will be a model that uses lithium-ion batteries for the first time in the world.
LG Chemicals’ batteries take pouch forms with 5.5 kWh and 74 Ah capacities. Although its size and weight are half of previous lead storage batteries, its life expectancy is about 2 times of lead storage batteries. Unlike previous lead storage batteries that need to have maintenance repair once every 2 years, it has a 5 year warranty without any separate cost. Its charging time is reduced about 40% and it takes about 6 hours to charge it once. When it is fully charged, it can be used for 36 holes continuously.
Yamaha, which was established in 1955, is a business that specializes in engine and electric motors and has the best shares in global golf cart markets. Global electric golf cart market has about 1.5 million golf carts, and many global businesses are currently changing lead storage batteries to lithium-ion batteries.
Because Yamaha is planning to use lithium-ion battery, which will be used for next-generation golf carts, to all of its previous models, it seems that LG Chemicals will be able to win additional contracts with Yamaha.
“Trend nowadays is that batteries of golf carts are changing from lead storage batteries to lithium-ion batteries. As we are chosen as a supplier of lithium-ion batteries to Yamaha that is a leading golf cart company globally, we are going to take an aggressive approach in global golf cart markets.” said a person that is affiliated with LG Chemicals.
According to the U.S. market research firm called Transparency Market Research, global golf cart (including low-speed electric cars) market will be worth $2.81 billion (3.3 trillion KRW) in 2020 and it will grow 6.6% or more on average per year continuously.
Staff Reporter Park, Taejoon | gaius@etnews.com