Lead in the News

New driverless pods at Heathrow Airport run on lead-acid batteries

London’s Heathrow Airport has recently unveiled its new driverless, electric pods used to ferry passengers between the Terminal 5 business car park and the main terminal.

The 21 pods, which run on lead-acid batteries, consume just 0.15 kWh when moving at top speed. They make more than 200 trips each day, can accommodate four to six passengers at a time, along with luggage, and can reach a top speed of around 25 miles per hour.

When waiting for a passenger, the pods recharge themselves at battery points, so are always ready to go. 

The pods use 70 per cent less energy than it takes to power a car, and 50 per cent less than a bus.

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