Lifestyle changes may mean that we are clocking up less miles on our cars, but what is the effect on our batteries?

Lifestyle trends over recent years have not only changed the way we live, but also how we drive our cars.  Our post-pandemic stay-at-home lifestyles are putting extra stress on car batteries, meaning that the requirement for a new battery due to failure, or a recharge due to different driving conditions is on the increase according to CTEK, the leading global brand specialising in the care and maintenance of vehicle batteries. 

Not only has the pandemic affected how we live and work, but also our time on the road.  Unsurprisingly, it’s car batteries where the impact is most apparent. With many drivers spending far less time on the road and making shorter journeys, coupled with the younger generation of drivers who have much more of a convenience-led lifestyle when it comes to driving, there is now a significant increase in vehicle health issues. 

Compounded by the recent increase in fuel prices and the overall cost of living crisis, many drivers are starting to think twice before hopping in the car, are maybe going out less often and, when they do, are taking shorter journeys.  

The downside of this is that taking fewer, shorter journeys, particularly in urban areas, will quite quickly drain a car battery.  It takes 150-350A of battery power just to start the car, and on short trips the alternator won’t have the time or capability to replace this charge. Over several short trips, your battery will soon be flat. 

This is especially so if your car has a ‘stop/start’ function. In fact, if you’ve noticed your ‘stop/start’ hasn’t been kicking in lately, this may be because your battery isn’t sufficiently charged, as your car will gradually turn off ‘non essential’ functions to focus the remaining battery charge on keeping the engine turning.  

Even while your car is parked, your battery will lose 0.1V of energy every month and, if your car is also running an alarm system, onboard computer, remote locking etc, the continual drain on the battery will be much more than that.  Driving around in your car will only ever charge your battery to 80% capacity so, to top it up to 100%, you’ll always need a battery charger.   Investing in a smart battery charger from CTEK, the leading global brand in vehicle charging technology, is the ideal way to keep your 12V battery fully charged and in the best of health. 

Mark Poole, Sales Manager at CTEK, said: “Today's vehicles are electronically sophisticated. Everything from door locks, heated seats and steering wheels, to air conditioning and adjustable driving positions rely upon electronics, increasing the demand on batteries. Short trips to collect groceries or pick up a drive-through coffee don't give your car's alternator enough time to fully recharge the battery, and when coupled with long periods of vehicle inactivity, sulfation can occur, ultimately leading to battery problems. 

“Charging your car battery at least once a month prolongs its life by up to three times, so buying a reliable battery charger, and getting yourself into a regular battery maintenance routine, makes perfect sense. And, as battery failure can damage or compromise a vehicle’s electronics, a charger is most certainly a worthwhile investment.  

“Investing in a charger like the CS ONE, with built-in functionality for both maintenance and troubleshooting, is the smart choice for drivers. The CS ONE does the thinking for you, using adaptive charging to measure your battery’s health then delivering the right level of power to get it working at optimum capacity. With the CS ONE’s patented technology, you can even recondition your battery to restore battery health.”