Panasonic launches new eneloop rechargeable batteries designed for a sustainable lifestyle

eneloop is one of the most reusable batteries in the industry and can be used immediately, even after years of non-usage

[02 April 2014, Belgium] Panasonic Energy Europe NV is set to sell a new line-up of eneloop rechargeable batteries under the Panasonic brand from April 2014. Combining the performance and convenience of dry cells with the cost-efficiency and sustainability of rechargeable batteries, eneloop builds on the best of both and can be recharged up to 2,100 times[1] – making it one of the most reusable batteries in the industry[2], and greatly helping to reduce waste. The new product line-up will feature three different models: ‘eneloop standard’, ‘eneloop pro’, and ‘eneloop lite’.

eneloop comes pre-charged with solar power using ‘Tradable Green Certificate’ system[3]. It can be used immediately after purchase or long-term storage and offers similar levels of high comfort as a dry battery. While all batteries will naturally self-discharge (meaning that the amount of stored energy will gradually decrease over time), eneloop stays charged significantly longer. Following a full charge, an eneloop battery will retain approximately 70%[4] of its maximum energy level after five years of self-discharge, making them ideally suited for everyday use, and emergencies.

Unlike other batteries, eneloop delivers excellent performance at 0ºC and can even be used in temperatures as low as -20ºC[5] which makes eneloop the perfect choice for outdoor activities. In addition, eneloop can safely be recharged after partial discharge without impacting memory effect.

The eneloop product family consists of:

• eneloop standard – the standard model can be used with all manner of equipment[6]
• eneloop pro – the high-end, high-capacity eneloop pro is suited for heavy users and equipment consuming a lot of energy
• eneloop lite – the entry model is designed for equipment that do not consume much energy and/or equipment that require particularly frequent charging

Since its initial launch in Japan (2005), the eneloop series has continued to expand, with technological innovations leading to ever improved performance. Today the batteries are on sale in over 60 different countries worldwide, with more than 300 million shipped globally so far.

eneloop will be available in the UK from April 2014, along with a ‘Smart Charge’ charger which detects the power status of individually docked batteries to prevent overcharging.

For more information on the eneloop product family, click here – http://panasonic.net/energy/battery/eneloop/

Product Specification

Name	Size	Global code	Capacity	Cycle life	Self-Discharge
eneloop	AA	BK-3MCCE	Up to 2000 mAh Min. 1900 mAh	2100 Cycles	Over 70%
	AAA	BK-4MCCE	Up to 800 mAh Min. 750 mAh
eneloop pro	AA	BK-3HCCE	Up to 2550 mAh Min. 2450 mAh	500 Cycles	Over 85%
	AAA	BK-4HCCE	Up to 950 mAh Min. 900 mAh
eneloop lite	AA	BK-3LCCE	Up to 1000 mAh Min. 950 mAh	3000 Cycles	Over 70%
	AAA	BK-4LCCE	Up to 600 mAh Min. 550 mAh

[1] For AA-size batteries of 2,000 mAH capacity. Correct as of March 2014. Panasonic survey.
[2] Estimated lifespan based on IEC61951-2 (7.5.1.3) testing conditions. Battery lifespan may vary and batteries may not be usable depending on storage conditions and devices.
[3] Japanese “Tradable Green Certificate” system used to cover energy used to charge batteries before shipping by generating an equivalent amount of “Green Energy” through solar power.
[4] Estimated energy level with self-discharge during storage at room temperature (20°C) under IEC61951-2 (7.3.2) testing conditions following a full charge.
[5] Battery lifespan will be shorter than at room temperature. Equipment operability is not guaranteed.
[6] Excludes certain regions.

About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products in three business fields, consumer, components & devices, and solutions. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 7.85 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2012. Panasonic’s stock is listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) Stock Exchanges. The company has the vision of becoming the No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry by the 100th year of its founding in 2018. For more information on Panasonic, its brand and commitment to sustainability, visit the company’s website at http://panasonic.net/.

About Panasonic Energy Europe
Panasonic Energy Europe NV is an organization 100% dedicated to batteries.

The European headquarter is located in Belgium (Brussels). Next to that the company has an extensive network of sales offices and distributors in more than 30 European countries.

The company has factories in Belgium (Tessenderlo) and Poland (Gniezno), which produce more than a billion batteries each year. These two European production sites, together with the two distribution centres in Belgium and in Poland, ensure a full European coverage.

For more information on Panasonic Energy Europe, visit http://www.panasonic-batteries.com/.

Press contact:
Waggener Edstrom UK
Rebecca Lake, Account Executive
Tel: +44 (0)20 7632 3856
rlake@waggeneredstrom.com

Source: RealWire