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How Much Does a Car Battery Weigh? 5 Average Weights By Type

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A battery is needed for all vehicles to function, and others even need more than one. It’s certainly a heavy element of a car, too.

If you have replaced your battery in the past, you already understand the drill. But if you haven’t yet, you might wonder, how much does a car battery weigh? What makes these batteries so heavy? Keep scrolling to learn more!

Is A Car’s Battery Weight Really That Important?

Keep in mind that the average car battery weight isn’t often considered to be an important factor when it comes to the vehicle’s performance.

The key factors determining the performance of a battery depending on its size, capacity, and voltage. The weight of the car battery isn’t as substantial as those other aspects and is not a consideration when choosing a new battery for your car.

Nonetheless, there are some cases that the car battery’s weight can be essential, for instance, in high-performance or racing cars, where each ounce of weight counts, that’s where the battery weights could be a concern.

On top of that, in scenarios where other vehicles are designed for rugged or off-road use, the weight of the car battery might be a consideration for the vehicle’s overall balance and weight distribution.

How Much Does a Car Battery Weigh?

The average weight of a car battery can vary based on the size and type of battery.

For instance, a standard car battery, also referred to as a lead-acid battery, normally weighs 15-50 pounds. The weight of common batteries could range from about 35 pounds for a smaller battery to as much as 50 pounds for a bigger, heavy-duty car battery.

A lithium-ion battery that is becoming more typical in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles often weighs less than standard batteries. Also, the weight of a lithium-ion battery could range from about 15-25 pounds.

It’s worth remembering that car batteries can vary in weight, capacity, and size. That’s why it’s essential to choose the specifications of a certain battery before you purchase or identify the weight.

Here are some tips to help you know how much a car battery weighs.

#1 Ask the car manufacturer

One way for you to understand how much car batteries weigh is to ask the manufacturer directly. They can tell you the battery’s weight, the dimensions, and other crucial information that you need to know.

#2 Use the BCI group number

Can’t find any label, or it’s already worn down? Don’t worry. You can still look up the weight by looking up the battery’s BCI group number.

That’s a code utilized to determine the type and size of the battery. You can find that number on the side by looking up the right in a chart or online database.

#3 Check the battery’s label

Another method to know how much a car battery weigh is to check the battery’s label. That can often be found on the side or top of the full battery and will list the weight in either kilograms or pounds.

If the label is already worn down, you can also check your owner’s manual. You will need to find out this number so you can get the same size battery with equal cold cranking amps. This allows the battery to perform at its maximum output.

Average Size of Car Batteries by Types

There are several types of car batteries, each with its own characteristics and weight. The most common types of car batteries are:

Lithium-ion batteries

These batteries are becoming more popular in electric and hybrid vehicles. They typically weigh between 15 to 25 pounds.

Lithium-ion batteries are more efficient and have a longer lifespan compared to regular batteries. They are also more expensive than other lighter batteries.

Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries

This type of lead-acid battery is sealed, and they typically weigh between 15 to 50 pounds. They are used in vehicles that require a lot of power, and they have a longer lifespan compared to lighter-weight batteries.

Sealed Lead-Acid batteries

These types of batteries are sealed, which makes them maintenance-free, and they are typically used in vehicles that do not require a lot of power, such as motorcycles, scooters, and power sports.

These batteries typically weigh between 6 to 20 pounds. Plus, they are made up of lead plates and an electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid. They are affordable but have a shorter lifespan compared to other types of batteries.

Lightweight batteries

These are batteries created to be lightweight. These are often used in electric vehicles and small cars. They could weigh as little as 10-15 pounds.

Take note that it is possible to have two batteries for your car to function properly. Ensure you do your research before buying a lightweight battery.

Electric car batteries

The electric battery is a heavy battery that is used to power electric cars. The size of an electric car battery vary depending on the model of the car, with some models requiring larger batteries than others.

The standard electric vehicle battery can weigh from 25 or 45 pounds. Other electric car batteries, like the hybrid Toyota Prius model, can weigh up to 118 pounds.

Heavy-duty car batteries

Heavy-duty batteries vary according to their use. For example, tractor batteries weigh between 20 and 65 lbs, and bus batteries weigh between 125 and 195 lbs. Other batteries can weigh up to 1000 lbs.

Factors that Contribute to Variations in Battery Weights

It’s worth noting that the weight of a battery varies depending on its size, capacity, and technology used. A similar size almost always translates to the same power.

It’s also recommended to refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual for the correct battery type and size that is recommended for that specific vehicle.

There are several factors that can contribute to variations in starter battery weights:

Technology

The technology used in the battery’s construction can affect its weight. For example, lithium-ion batteries are typically lighter than heavy-duty car batteries because they are made with lighter materials and have a more advanced construction.

Types

The type of battery can affect its weight. Lightweight batteries are typically heavier than lithium-ion batteries due to the materials used in their construction.

Size

The size of the battery can also affect its weight. A larger battery will typically weigh more than a smaller battery of the same type.

Capacity

The capacity of a common battery can also play a role in its weight. A battery with a larger capacity will typically weigh more than one with a smaller capacity.

Usage

The usage of the battery also affects its weight. For example, deep cycle batteries will be heavier than a standard car battery because it is designed to be discharged and recharged multiple times, which requires more lead inside the heavier battery.

FAQs

Searching for more answers to your questions about car battery weighs? Well, here it is!

Q: Are heavier batteries more efficient?

The weight of a battery does not indicate its efficiency, but rather its capacity and power output. Heavier batteries are not necessarily more efficient, but rather, the efficiency of a battery is determined by the materials and technology used in its construction, which can affect its energy density and power output.

Q: How heavy is a 12-volt car battery?

The weight of a car battery can vary depending on the type of battery and its size. They typically weigh between 15 to 50 pounds.

The weight of a standard car battery can range from around 35 pounds for a smaller battery to as much as 50 pounds for larger, heavy-duty batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries, which are becoming more common in electric and hybrid vehicles, typically weigh less.

Q: Are dead car batteries heavy?

A depleted battery weighs the same as a fully charged one, as the weight of the battery is determined by its size and construction materials, not its charge level.

A standard 12-volt lead-acid car battery typically weighs between 35 to 50 pounds, and a 12-volt lithium-ion car battery typically weighs between 15 to 25 pounds, regardless of whether it is fully charged or dead.

Q: Do empty batteries weight less?

Do you have a depleted battery? Expect that it will weigh less than if it were full. That’s because the electrolyte solution inside the empty battery is what adds total weight. When it evaporates, the battery will weigh less.

Final Thoughts

You see, there are different factors you need to consider regarding how much a typical car battery weighs. Remember that a car battery will depend on its size, type, and manufacturer, too.

The actual weight of a car battery depends on different factors. As an average consumer, if you are not confident about how much your car battery weighs, you can always see the label, ask the car manufacturer or look up its weight online.

Last Updated on: February 1, 2023

Hi, my name is John Snow and I am a car lover. With two decades under my belt fixing and driving cars, I'm always on the hunt for fresh, cutting-edge methods to give my ride a performance boost. Driven by my zeal to decode car problems, I'm on a mission to equip vehicle owners with accurate and handy tips. By doing so, they can fix their rides while saving both time and cash.

By John Snow