Why are batteries suddenly so expensive?

[flyerdan]

There is an odd little discount store in Salem called Wheeler Dealer, they have car batteries for $58. I got one in May '23 and it's fine, same price for all this time.

 

[greenie]

OP: Where is your $200 battery made?

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

Many/most (90%) batteries are built in the United States. Easily verifiable.

 

[Torvy]

How do increased prices lead to lower inflation? Isn't increased prices the very definition of inflation?

It's a bit more complicated than that.

 

[charlessenf]

I'm trying to replace a 1979 VW Beetle battery

Wow! 2025-1979= forty-six years!

Christ, what brand battery is that?

 

[Tpondel]

Wow! 2025-1979= forty-six years!

Christ, what brand battery is that?

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

 

[JPRambo]

2 weeks ago I replaced the battery in my '13 Silverado for $169.+. This week replaced the battery in wife's '06 grand caravan for $159+. Both were last replaced in '19. Time wise not bad for a 4 year warranty battery. Cost was about 50% more than in 2019.

 

[jyoutz]

I miss the days of auto parts with free lifetime replacement.

Several offered their best batteries with lifetime replacement…

No doubt that was a loser for the stores. Batteries are by design a replacement item.

 

[jyoutz]

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

For cheap beer.

 

[Bentrim]

The flooded battery most of you are referring to contain lead. I think I remember that all lead mining in the US was closed down due to pollution and other environmental issues. That plus it is only 3 or 4 battery manufacturers in the US does not help prices, especially when the manufacturers are hit with more regulations.
So all that added together plus the increased transportation cost doesn't make cheap batteries.

 

[ultrarunner]

Selling the top of line battery for a premium price knowing how often cars trade and people relocate and accidents happen plus people forgetting or loosing the paperwork it was really a numbers game.

No doubt not a profit center with me as customer because I still own cars bought in my teens…

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I have a friend in Texas who, like me, collects AMC (Rambler) cars. He has a Hornet that he bought a new battery for in 1979 from J.C. Penney that's still good. It's become a conversation piece at this point he told me!

 

[flyingace43]

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 ???

Sams club sells duracell made by deka batteries made in USA $139 but have them on sale now and then for $119 for flooded and the AGM are $199 and have a 3 year replacement warranty seem to work well.

 

[Oaktree]

I miss the days of auto parts with free lifetime replacement.

Several offered their best batteries with lifetime replacement…

The only auto parts I recall seeing "lifetime" replacement guarantees was shock absorbers and maybe mufflers (but not the pipes). This was back in the days when an 8 year old car was pretty much used up, plus you had to present the old shock first (with receipt) and maybe jump thru a couple other hoops too. I doubt they gave away many "free" replacements.

Maybe some sort of pro-rated deal with batteries (I think Sears did).

This was for my RAM 1500 ...

I've had terrible experiences with O'Reilly batteries. Last about 3 years, then just die without warning.

Go to a real battery store they usually have them.
Some old school parts stores carry them.

What's a "real battery store"?
Closest thing to an old school parts store I've seen in decades is NAPA, their batteries are kind of pricey. Only saving grace is that there's one fairly close, any one else is a half hour+ drive.

 

[Torvy]

I think Batteries Plus or Interstate would be considered real battery stores. Interstate makes and sells. Batteries+, iirc, just sells others, but may have a 'store brand' (relabeled version of another brand).

 

[jyoutz]

The only auto parts I recall seeing "lifetime" replacement guarantees was shock absorbers and maybe mufflers (but not the pipes). This was back in the days when an 8 year old car was pretty much used up, plus you had to present the old shock first (with receipt) and maybe jump thru a couple other hoops too. I doubt they gave away many "free" replacements.

Maybe some sort of pro-rated deal with batteries (I think Sears did).


I've had terrible experiences with O'Reilly batteries. Last about 3 years, then just die without warning.


What's a "real battery store"?
Closest thing to an old school parts store I've seen in decades is NAPA, their batteries are kind of pricey. Only saving grace is that there's one fairly close, any one else is a half hour+ drive.

Autozone used to have a lifetime warranty on all of their Duralast parts. I’m not sure if they still do.

 

[ultrarunner]

Many auto parts carried a line of lifetime from pads to water pumps… alternators, regulators… etc.

Firestone auto centers offered lifetime battery free replacement… this is what several here had.

 

[Eagle1]

How it used to be....

 

[mjonesnh]

Have a fuel pump on 95 Dodge Ram that has a lifetime warranty. 1st one lasted 2 years, parts store replaced it at no charge and this one has 4 years on it so far.

 

[JasperFrank]

I'm not seeing what you guys are seeing so far as to auto batteries.
I shop at Bi-mart. They have been the same prices for at least five years.
The VW Battery OP is looking for is a strange form factor, the Positive is recessed and has a thick plastic cover to protect it from the rear seat springs.
I've had terrible luck buying batteries from auto parts stores. Particularly motorcycle batteries.

 

[Gregster613]

A blemished battery is simply a cosmetic defect.

Thanks for that answer! I asked the question - and as usual - I didn't think to simply check on google first!! Sorry about that!