Why are batteries suddenly so expensive?

[Gregster613]

I have a lithium battery in my motorcycle that has been going for 10 years now. It also weighs 75% less than the lead acid that was in it

I'm considering going that route with my golf cart - but Lithium will cost about 2500 with a charger included - supposed to have a ten year lifespan though. I'm thinking on it!!

 

[CH4Ohio]

Not much demand for calculators nowadays. We all have them on our phones now.

Another one for the "you know you're old when" thread . . . Remember when there were no modern calculators?? I still remember the first kid to show up in high school with a TI30 calculator -- it had a factorial button! (!)

 

[charlessenf]

The previous battery from O’Reilly auto was bought in 2019.

Some posts are not intended to be taken literally​

OP: Tpondel said: "I'm trying to replace a 1979 VW Beetle battery"

Wow! 2025-1979= forty-six years!

Christ, what brand battery is that?​

 

[grsthegreat]

Another one for the "you know you're old when" thread . . . Remember when there were no modern calculators?? I still remember the first kid to show up in high school with a TI30 calculator -- it had a factorial button! (!)

When i got into my first college level class, i was allowed to use a TI calculator in class. Man, was it expensive. But not having one put you behind other students. It was the first calculator i ever owned, and lasted me thru most of college. Mind you, this was at a time we were using punch cards in computers. Just moved into dialup during senior year.

 

[IH3444]

Went to my NAPA dealer to get another Legend Premium AGM made by East Penn. They only carry Interstate batteries now. So, I bought a Walmart Maxx Everstart AGM. The serial number on it starts with EP. So, I think it is made by East Penn. $189. I'll see how long it goes. 4-year free replacement. The still in car NAPA Legend Premium AGM by East Penn just tested good with the FOXWELL BT705, as well as the alternator. It will be 4 years old in Feb. 2026. Like to have a quick swap out if needed. The NAPA only had a 30-month warranty if I remember correctly. They have battery life down to an exact science now for profitability. Got a NOCO battery jumper if I have to pop smoke.

 

[candovt]

I noticed this with an older car I had. Today I'm trying to replace a 1979 VW Beetle battery and I'm seeing $200!
Are they filling batteries with gold now?


WTH ???

Lead (the primary component in lead/acid batteries) production and recycling has gone overseas due to challenges here with costly hazmat
Compliance. So we ship old batteries overseas, they recycle the lead into positive and negative plates and ship re-newed ones back (plus tariffs ?) to be assembled in this country.
It was cheaper when we polluted our country.
Vermonter

 

[Eagle1]

Lead (the primary component in lead/acid batteries) production and recycling has gone overseas due to challenges here with costly hazmat
Compliance. So we ship old batteries overseas, they recycle the lead into positive and negative plates and ship re-newed ones back (plus tariffs ?) to be assembled in this country.
It was cheaper when we polluted our country.
Vermonter

Lead acid batteries still come to Doe Run's facility up the road for recycling. Processed underground in one of the old lead mine sections then smelted (you can still do secondary smelting in the US but zero primary smelting or Galena processing)
They were core drilling all over for the mine planning but that has come to a hard stop. A lot of copper down below the lead belt but will they be allowed to mine it?

 

[jyoutz]

Lead acid batteries still come to Doe Run's facility up the road for recycling. Processed underground in one of the old lead mine sections then smelted (you can still do secondary smelting in the US but zero primary smelting or Galena processing)
They were core drilling all over for the mine planning but that has come to a hard stop. A lot of copper down below the lead belt but will they be allowed to mine it?

Arizona produces most of the copper in the U.S.

 

[Eagle1]

Arizona produces most of the copper in the U.S.

Unfortunately there is thick seam of copper ore fairly shallow (800' to 1200') under my property. Mineral rights were bought out en mass before I was born by different mining co back then, all held by Doe Run right now.
But if they do surface damage I do have some recourse.

 

[jyoutz]

Unfortunately there is thick seam of copper ore fairly shallow (800' to 1200') under my property. Mineral rights were bought out en mass before I was born by different mining co back then, all held by Doe Run right now.
But if they do surface damage I do have some recourse.

Oh, that’s unfortunate. Hopefully there’s no plans to mine your property.