Are Batteries for Cars With Auto Start-Stop More Expensive?
There are many people on the market sorting through the best new cars. Naturally, many options will have features that drivers have questions about. This is especially the case for people who consider a car with the start-stop system. While there are many advantages, some may wonder if these cars can use the regular old cheap automotive batteries.
Does a car with the start-stop system need more expensive batteries?
Many people may not know that a car with an auto start-stop system uses special batteries. This means cheap car batteries for these vehicles may be out of the question. Cars with this feature will have Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB) or Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. However, most models with this technology have an AGM battery.
Unfortunately, battery replacements for a car with the auto start-stop system are more expensive than traditional lead options. According to AAA Living, they can be 40 to 100% more expensive than the cheaper car batteries people are accustomed to. EFB options are about 25 percent more costly than standard batteries and about 20 to 30% less than AGM batteries.
Readers should note that if your auto start-stop car system comes with an AGM battery, they must select the same type as a replacement.
Many of the best new cars have either an EFB or an AGM battery
Many of the best new cars will have EFB or AGM batteries. So, how do they differ? Typically, drivers can find the EFB in vehicles with or without the auto start-stop feature. They often power smaller or mid-range models. However, AGM batteries usually power upper-tier cars and SUVs that often have even more advanced features than auto start-stop.
Another difference is that EFB options can handle more heat than AGM batteries. For context, an EFB will last a reported 52% longer than AGM batteries in high temperatures. However, AGM batteries last longer as they can be in use for up to eight years, whereas an EFB has a lifespan of about six years. The added life is necessary because the constant stopping and starting can drain automotive batteries faster. Traditional automotive batteries last three to five years.
