Why are batteries suddenly so expensive?

[ultrarunner]

I was charged with cleaning up at the old family auto sales property and turned in 31 batteries for $62 some years back.

With cores now ten times as much at $20 or more it’s close to what we sold new 6-volt Models A batteries at $29.95 and we made money.

 

[Hay Dude]

Wait until you have to replace 3 large batteries in a dump truck or large farm tractor.

 

[kenhar]

Batteries are about the same as water heaters. On average a 10 yr heater lasts about 10 yr and 3 months. A 3 yr battery lasts about 3 yr and 2 months. Basically you're just renting a battery. 4 yrs cost more than 3's, 3 yrs cost more than 2's. Some batteries will have just enough life left on the warranty to get you back in the store for a replacement. Wally world has about the best replacement scheme and if you are away from home when it won't start, there's a Wally not too far away. Same thing with tires.

 

[tjandrews]

OP: Where is your $200 battery made?

Hint - Tariffs are an imported goods tax paid for by consumers.

Even domestic manufacturers are raising prices because of tariffs. Pre-tariff prices were enough competition to keep domestic prices at their old levels. Reducing competition almost always results in increased prices.

 

[PA-Kubota]

I'm told there's only like 3 battery manufactures in the US and they just slap the store label on for where sold to. The pick you warranty period.

 

[Hay Dude]

Lots of Korean batteries making their way here. I have had pretty good success with them when there wasn’t an American alternative in stock. I buy batteries from a battery supplier. They carry pretty much all brands. He says the Korean batteries are just as good and about 10% cheaper than the American made batteries from East Penn and the other American companies.

 

[aircommuter]

Look no further than government restrictions. The Doe Run lead smelting shutdown by environmental restrictions. That accounted for 70% of the lead in this country. Nothing to do with tariffs. I don’t remember exactly but the galena belt was a huge operation. Not political just facts.
Optional method.

 

[Ceckert64]

The increase in battery costs occurred a little over 10 years ago and coincided with the shutdown of the last US-based lead smelter. The owner of the smelter, Doe Run, claimed that it was going to be too expensive to comply with the new environmental regs so they chose to shut it down instead.

While I won't claim the roughly doubling of battery costs was solely the result of the above, it certainly impacted the supplier's costs. Just like with the price of ammo in that time frame, supply/demand, plus the cost of environmental compliance, likely comprised the biggest share of the increase.

 

[QRTRHRS]

A blemished battery is simply a cosmetic defect.

 

[Mulemamma]

I just bought one for my daughters car, a Ford Fusion so a common size, $200.

I remember when they were $35 at Walmart. Guess that was around 50 years ago. Yes I’m pretty old.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Batteries are also considered to be hazmat adding to the cost of shipping. Shipping costs are up on pretty much everything.

 

[mikester]

Even domestic manufacturers are raising prices because of tariffs. Pre-tariff prices were enough competition to keep domestic prices at their old levels. Reducing competition almost always results in increased prices.

Theory of unintended consequences. Local vendors now raise prices because they can - the result of the competition having had their prices artificially jacked up by tariffs.

I had to buy a new battery for my tractor last week - CDN$130 (approx US$94) for the Kubota branded one at the dealership. I didn't think that was a bad deal.

 

[Tpondel]

You guys are the best! Rural King has one for $80.

 

[majorjim3]

$110 at walmart (marked down. Group Size 47 H5 EFB Battery H5-EFB

Group 47 Battery will work but the preferred group size is 42. Whatever you do just make sure the battery dimensions allow for a secure tiedown/mounting and that there is sufficient clearance between the battery posts and the steel springs under the rear seat bottom. Very dangerous situation if battery makes contact with those seat springs. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Tpondel]

Group 47 Battery will work but the preferred group size is 42. Whatever you do just make sure the battery dimensions allow for a secure tiedown/mounting and that there is sufficient clearance between the battery posts and the steel springs under the rear seat bottom. Very dangerous situation if battery makes contact with those seat springs. Don't ask me how I know.

I bought the car from my cousin who put a nice piece of wood over the battery to keep from hitting the springs.

 

[jwmorris]

If item was $105 year 2000 it's about same as $200 in today's money.

Inflation...

Oddly enough a case of beer is still $19...

 

[quicksandfarmer]

A google search for "lead-acid battery tariffs" gives the answer.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I bought a new Chevy pu in 2012, the battery in it is original and still starts the truck just fine. I also bought a new Chevy pu in 2018 and that original battery is also going just fine! It's 5*F out right now, I'd bet you either pu would start just fine right now.

I buy group 31 batteries for my tractors and "generally" they last me 10 years.

Batteries are lower priced at both, Cosco and Sams clubs.

SR

 

[johneking]

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 ???

I have been using different battery suppliers as local merchants {auto part stores etc.} have gone crazy with pricing.
I know, Amazon is an option, but I have found {and bought from} Battery Sharks and Mighty Max {Mighty Max is for smaller batteries mostly i.e. motorcycles, 4 wheelers etc.} and have found their batteries to be of great quality.
Another "concern" is most batteries today are not full of enough "fluid" {electrolyte} even when new!
I remove the caps {use a heat gun, small screwdriver, razor knife etc. when they have had the "plate" installed on the top} then a small flat screwdriver to pry the caps off to access the cells.
I then fill "to the eye" {liquid looks like an eyeball} with Distilled Water {tap water works, but some municipalities have so much CRAP in the water!} and charge on 2 amps until a full charge is reached.
I've done this for YEARS and my batteries will sometimes last for over 6 years weather they are used regularly or not.
I recently bought a "Noco Genius10" and have "saved" one lawn mower battery but the others I've tried it on have not recovered so the "jury is still out" on the Noco.

 

[Bg357]

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 ???

As others have noted, everything costs more now, but battery prices vary quite a lot, so shop around. Auto parts stores are the worst, and even Walmart isn’t the best price for batteries around here. Local chain stores have the best prices in my area, followed by Costco. I can find most batteries for half the price of auto part stores, but if the battery is an odd-ball, you might be screwed.