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.

 

[OzzyDaveO]

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 ???

In addition many lead smelters outside of china have been in financial troube. The Company I used to work for shut down most of its USA operations, moth balled 1 of (2) EU operations, and got a bail out from Govt for its AU operations.

They cant make a profit making lead from ore, so the supply chain is diminishing causing addition pressure item costs (supply & demand)

 

[Eagle1]

I am all ready sitting on top of a played out lead mine complex Well maybe just off the edge but that closed mine main entrance shaft was just over the ridge and if you know you can find old ventilation shafts, drill holes and access holes for various reason. Best not to step into a hole it may a 1000' deep. We have legacy of drill mug, tailing and scattered equipment all over the region. Plenty of pollution over the years but mother nature is healing faster than anyone thinks. Helps that about half is owned by the feds/state as Mark Twain and various conservation areas. Beautiful country again.
Water around here is monitored and no high heavy metal contents in the streams or ponds these days.

 

[ultrarunner]

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.

Exactly… my mill still uses paper punched tape!

 

[Bill Stecik]

On top of the cost batteries simultaneously the lifespan of batteries has decreased; I've had car and motorcycle batteries fail at 3 years enough not to trust older batteries - which sometimes fail without any sign of decline (slow starter). Glass mat or plate, both types have failed. My last battery was an Odyssey which is more expensive but claims to last longer. We'll see.

If you can source one. Get a nickel iron battery. They will last 100 years. Can freeze solid and still recover

 

[rae508153@att.net]

still thought a core was five bucks,,lol..last battery i bought ,got at the local junk yard

 

[Mtsoxfan]

If you can source one. Get a nickel iron battery. They will last 100 years. Can freeze solid and still recover

I'm clearing out neighbors barn and found a few batteries. Can't read any of the tags. How does one identify nickel iron battery?

 

[dlundblad]

If you have a Rural King nearby, they have batteries for $85 or so. My first one lasted Oct 2021 to Feb 2024. I had no issues with it.

 

[Oaktree]

If you have a Rural King nearby, they have batteries for $85 or so. My first one lasted Oct 2021 to Feb 2024. I had no issues with it.

That's 2 years and 4 months. Pretty lousy if you asked me. Guess you get what you pay for.

 

[Gord Baker]

I was advised to replace my original Battery in my 2020 GMC Acadia. AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) was recommended. Little hope of warranty if I installed it my self. $650 Cdn. Dealer installed. $20 Core charge

 

[DougMc]

Rural king stores a better deal for me.
Suburu I had to release the battery wire tie points to make it work but saved $200