Most people don’t stop to think about how much value car batteries provide for society. However, the numbers do not lie. The market for automotive batteries is worth more than $43 billion every single year!
If you have ever asked, “Where can I find automotive batteries near me?”, that number is some indication that you can probably find many quality options in your location. Not only is the market for car batteries huge, but it continues to grow by more than 5% every single year.
Of course, there are a number of different types of car batteries out there. Most people are not sure which type of battery is the best choice for their situation.
Read on to learn all about the most important things to understand about how car batteries differ from each other and which one might be the right choice for your needs!
General Principles
And there are many different battery designs, but there are also some general principles that can help you categorize them. In general, different types of batteries are used for electric vehicles versus vehicles that run on gasoline.
Most cars that run on gas use lead acid batteries. Of course, there are exceptions to this principle.
In contrast, electric vehicles generally use a lithium ion battery. However, they also have a use for lead acid batteries. All of these are only general rules, so there can be exceptions to all of them.
Flooded Lead Batteries
Flooded lead batteries get their name from the fact that they contain water. In fact, you actually need to add water to them every so often to keep them functioning properly.
As you might guess, these types of batteries are not as popular as they used to be for cars. These days, you generally do not have to do anything like add water to a battery to keep it working.
However, flooded lead batteries were the original car battery. Although most people do not use them today, you can still find them. They are extremely affordable, which can make them a good choice for certain situations.
Flooded lead batteries generally provide 12.6 V when they are fully charged. They are extremely reliable, but they come with several constraints and disadvantages.
First of all, these batteries need to be installed vertically. Otherwise, the water in them can leak out. On top of that, you cannot discharge all of the power in a flooded lead battery.
If you use more than 50% of the total energy in a flooded battery, you can greatly reduce its battery life.
As a result, these batteries are best used if you are prepared to carefully maintain them and avoid using them in the wrong way. For some people, the affordability and reliability they provide make these disadvantages worth it.
Valve Regulated Lead Batteries
Regulated lead batteries are a much more modern battery design. They are one of the most sophisticated designs on the market. That makes them a much more common choice for modern gas cars.
Unlike flooded lead batteries, you do not necessarily have to install valve-regulated lead batteries vertically. These batteries are carefully sealed so that nothing spills out of them. As a result, they require very little maintenance.
Lithium Ion Batteries
Lithium ion batteries are popular choices for electric cars. They can be recharged hundreds of times and lose very little of their charging capacity. That also allows them to provide a long lifespan. On top of that, lithium ion batteries weigh significantly less than lead batteries. This is important because the lighter the battery is, the greater the efficiency of the car. Lithium ion batteries are something of an investment. They are much more expensive in the beginning. However, they last a lot longer, so you don’t necessarily lose money in the long run.
Generally, lithium ion batteries will last one or two decades. When they do eventually die, you can recycle them. That also makes them a good choice for people who are environmentally concerned.
Silver Calcium Batteries
Silver calcium batteries are another advancement in battery technology for gas cars. Like valve-regulated lead batteries, they are low maintenance and you do not necessarily have to install them vertically.
One of the things that makes the silver calcium battery stand out is how resistant it is to corrosion. On top of that, it is not as sensitive to high temperatures. The end result is that it is a good choice for environments that get hot in the summer.
On the other hand, it comes with its own disadvantages. To charge it, you will need a higher voltage than other batteries require.
Enhanced Flooded Batteries
Enhanced flooded batteries are basically upgraded versions of traditional flooded batteries. They are carefully sealed so that they are not susceptible to leakage. They also provide almost 3 times as many engine cranks.
Gel Cell Batteries
Gel cell batteries get their name from the fact that they use a gel rather than a liquid. That makes them less susceptible to spilling and leakage.
They are another option for gas cars and are made with silica so that the liquid in them thickens into a gel.
Along with making them less susceptible to leakage, this makes them more resistant to physical jostling and wear and tear.
The more that you understand about different types of car batteries, the better able you will be to find the best car batteries for your situation. Different car battery types come with different advantages. For example, the RB Battery maintenance free battery requires very little maintenance compared to other automotive batteries.
Knowing your car batteries can help you enjoy greater performance and spend less time picking batteries through trial and error.
Understand the Different Types of Automotive Batteries Near Me
We hope learning more about automotive batteries has been helpful for you. Many people wonder “Where can I find automotive batteries near me?” However, they don’t know that much about which type of battery to look for when they consider their options.
The more you understand about the different types of automotive batteries, the better able you’ll be to find batteries for your situation. That makes understanding automotive batteries a little better an investment. To add more about how to take care of your car, check out our other articles!