Experts from the German car magazine Auto Zeitung reported that the typical lifespan of a car battery is usually between four and five years under good operating conditions. However, this period is affected by several important factors. The first factor influencing battery life is driving style; driving only short distances prevents the battery from charging fully through the alternator, causing continuous stress and reducing its lifespan. Temperature also plays a crucial role; high heat or extreme cold leads to a faster loss of battery energy, accelerating its deterioration. The market offers many types of car batteries, differing in performance and lifespan. Traditional lead-acid batteries are common and require little maintenance, but they are less tolerant of frequent charging cycles. EFB batteries are specially designed for cars with Start-Stop systems and have a longer lifespan. AGM batteries are the most durable and suitable for modern cars with high electrical consumption. Additionally, there are lithium-ion batteries, which are lighter and offer higher performance but are more sensitive to deep discharge. If the car is stationary for long periods, the battery can gradually lose its charge, and operating lights or the audio system with the engine off will accelerate its discharge. In these cases, smart chargers or maintenance chargers can be used to maintain the charge level or to reactivate the battery if its capacity has dropped significantly. A battery's condition can be checked using special measuring devices that determine voltage and capacity. To extend a car battery's life, it should be securely mounted and its terminals cleaned periodically to prevent corrosion. Also, all electrical devices should be turned off before starting the engine to reduce the load on the battery. In case of frequent short trips or long periods of inactivity, using a maintenance charger is recommended to keep the battery in good condition. In electric and hybrid vehicles, a 12-volt battery is still used to power basic systems and is subject to the same wear and aging factors as traditional car batteries.
