Why are batteries suddenly so expensive?

[Midniteoyl]

Found the 'Interstate' ones at Home Depot are still fairly cheap most of the time. Also bought a Weize off of Amazon that was actually a really good battery a year ago... $150 for a H8 at the time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBQ31KYP?th=1

 

[chim]

Shop somewhere else. I bought an RK battery for the Kubota and a Costco for the Trailblazer.

https://costco.interstatebatteries.com/results?key=auto&Program=100500&ZipCode=75254&l=75254&Country=United%20States&year=2893481&make=2893965&model=2894096&engine=2894097&option=2894098

https://www.ruralking.com/car-batteries

 

[greenie]

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.

 

[ultrarunner]

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

Several offered their best batteries with lifetime replacement…

 

[zzvyb6]

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

 

[garry1p]

So what are the reasons they are so expensive?

Think about it, if the battery is no better than ones manufactured last year.

Then the value of your dollar is worth less than this time last year.

 

[Rock Crawler]

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 ???

Rural king. Great batteries any great prices. Under $100 for many, but even the AGM for my F150 was less than half at Rural King compared to parts stores. I've been using them for around 7 years now.

 

[mikester]

OP: Where is your $200 battery made?

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

 

[Shawn T. W.]

This was for my RAM 1500 ...

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Found the 'Interstate' ones at Home Depot are still fairly cheap most of the time. Also bought a Weize off of Amazon that was actually a really good battery a year ago... $150 for a H8 at the time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBQ31KYP?th=1

I have a Weize in my Polaris. It’s going on 4 years. Previous batteries all lasted about 12 months.