We previously wrote about Bosch’s new 18V 5.0Ah battery pack, but Bosch (EU/UK) has now officially announced its release.
Features
(Direct from the press release.)
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- 25 percent longer runtime than previous 4.0 Ah batteries
- The smallest and lightest 5.0 Ah batteries on the market
- Full capacity utilization and long lifetime due to CoolPack technology
- Compatible with the entire 18 volt range thanks to “Flexible Power System”
What this means is:
- 5.0Ah batteries will likely replace 4.0Ah batteries
- These are smaller and lighter than the one-other 5.0Ah battery pack already on the market (Hitachi)
- Longer lifetime and full capacity utilization means slower wear and degradation of the individual cells Bosch selected for the battery pack
- All Bosch 18V Li-ion tools should work with the new 5.0Ah battery pack
Although one would expect full compatibility between new batteries and existing 18V tools, that’s not the case with all manufacturers. Makita’s 18V 4.0Ah BL1840 battery, and possible their 5.0Ah battery as well, cannot be used with all of the brand’s 18V tools.
In the press release, it says:
Anyone who purchases a battery from Bosch can use it straightaway, without having to worry about whether it will fit because the tried-and-tested “Flexible Power System” ensures compatibility with all existing power tools and chargers within a voltage class. This is also the case with the 5.0 Ah battery with 18 volts.
“What for us is a matter of course no longer applies to all systems on the market nowadays”, says Breitenbach (project leader for the new battery technology). “We offer professional tradespeople planning and cost certainty with our batteries.”
That definitely seems like a jab towards Makita, but could also be aimed at Dewalt and other Stanley Black & Decker companies that adopted new battery form factors in recent years.
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The big question here is who will be next? I’m thinking either Milwaukee or Dewalt.
ETA: April 2014 in Europe
Pricing: 160 euros plus VAT
cody Robertson
Stuart just saw that the UK has Dewalt 12volt ( 10.8volt ) 2.0ah xr batteries.
Stuart
Thanks for the tip! I cannot find images or specs for the batteries, but there are specifications for D2 kits that do mention 2.0Ah battery packs.
cody Robertson
Just saw it on a new video by the ITS channel on YouTube talking about the dcb090. They used that battery in the video.
Hang Fire
On a drill or impact driver I can’t outrun my two 4.0Ah’s before I need a meal break, but cordless circular saw users will rejoice.
Phil
I picked up a pair of 4.0AH Bosch packs last year. They were sold as a set for 120 bucks, the best deal on high-capacity LiIon batteries I know of. Since Bosch incorporates the electronics for cell protection, etc into the tools and chargers rather than in the packs, they can be smaller and lighter than most equivalent packs from other manufacturers. Milwaukee’s M18 batteries have lots of electronics in the packs for the charge control and the “odometer” used to gauge battery life and charge cycles.
The 4.0AH Bosch packs seem to go on forever. I can imagine the 5.0 being noticeably longer.
Jason Malicek
Cant wait to try eather the 4.0 or 5.0 bosch battery’s I’m still using the 2.6 amp