Since the pandemic, which has brought millions of vehicles to a standstill in the US, the demand for batteries and the price of lead have been rising exponentially.

Car batteries need to be constantly recharged so that they do not lose their power. Amid the pandemic, many drivers have witnessed their car batteries drain, forcing them to replace them and causing disaster.

With the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and closures this year, many Americans return to parked cars with dead batteriesthat require replacement. This has led to an increase in prices and demand for car batteries. lead-acid and lead, necessary for their production.

In a car with an internal combustion engine. Normally, your vehicle's alternator charges the battery while the engine is running while driving. This keeps the state of charge and the battery in good condition for many years of use. However, when parked, the battery continues to power many of the vehicle's systems.

Don't forget to sanitize your car's steering wheel, doorknob, and dashboard to keep them clean and prevent the spread of germs.

— LTH Batteries (@LTHBatteries)

How does not using the battery affect?

If you just left your headlights on overnight, jump start will get your car running again. But even if you don't, leaving the car parked for a long period of time, you can still end up with a dead battery because the ECU, telematics, lock sensors and tailgate drain more slowly over time.

Leaving a discharged lead-acid battery for an extended period of time is harmful, as you may be left with a battery that is not charged enough to power your vehicle.. This is especially true for batteries older than two or three years.

Drivers affected by the pandemic

wave of drivers Americans and Europeans returning to their cars only to find they need a new battery have sparked a surge in demand for these lead-acid batteries and a corresponding rise in the price of the lead needed to make them.. About half of the lead produced annually goes to the production of car batteries.

Energy research consultants Wood Mackenzie estimates global lead demand growth this year at 5.9%, essentially bringing it back to pre-pandemic levels. However, this sudden surge in demand for batteries, combined with global shipping delays and shortages, has sent US lead prices to record highs.

How to protect your car battery?

There are several ways to protect your car battery from mothballs for an extended period of time. By connecting an external battery, you can slowly and safely "recharge" the battery, maintaining its state over time.

On the other hand, you can disconnect or remove the battery while keeping it almost fully charged to protect its capacity and prevent parasitic discharge over time.. The easiest way is to just drive the car every few days to keep the generator running and keeping a full charge.

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