October 5th, 2023 is ‘Charge Your Car Day’, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of maintaining vehicle batteries. CTEK, a global leader in battery charging solutions, released research findings that paint a worrying picture of battery health on the road.
Shockingly, half of the vehicle batteries currently in use are not performing at their optimum capacity. This battery maintenance neglect is causing a rise in battery-related breakdowns, costing motorists in the UK up to £400 annually.
Research conducted by the RAC reveals that battery failures are responsible for up to 40% of all breakdowns in the UK. A substantial portion of these breakdowns occur due to drained or flat batteries. Even electric vehicles, aren’t immune to this problem.
According to Start Rescue, a breakdown rescue provider, one of the leading causes of EV breakdowns is a discharged 12V battery. To tackle this issue, CTEK is urging motorists to consider the health of their batteries on Charge Your Car Day to prevent costly and inconvenient breakdowns.
The Financial Impact of Battery Neglect
Amidst rising energy prices and increasing concerns about the cost of living, recharging your vehicle’s battery is a wise investment. Keeping a car battery charged requires minimal power, it’s roughly equivalent to watching TV for five hours, or less than what you’d spend cooking with an electric oven for an hour, playing on a games console for three hours, or doing two loads of laundry. In contrast, replacing a car battery can set you back upwards of £80 to £200.
Richard Wilkerson, a CTEK customer and car enthusiast, shared his experience, highlighting the benefits of maintaining batteries with CTEK chargers. He praised CTEK for saving him money by extending the life of his AGM batteries, such as the Optima Redtop, which lasted for 11 years instead of the typical 5 years. This demonstrates the cost-effective nature of battery maintenance.
Hybrid Vehicle Battery Health
Electric and Plug-In Hybrid vehicles also require regular battery charging. Even in these modern vehicles, the 12V auxiliary battery is responsible for powering essential vehicle accessories like lighting, radio, heating, and air conditioning so it requires routine maintenance. Unlike the main battery, the 12V battery doesn’t necessarily charge when the vehicle is plugged in, so require an external charger like the CTEK MXS 5.0.
Quick Solutions for Battery Care
Regular maintenance charging helps prevent sulfation and keeps batteries in optimal condition, reducing the risk of a breakdown. And if the worst should happen, CTEK’s CS FREE adaptive booster is recommended over traditional jump starters. Its adaptive boost technology ensures a safer and gentler start, reducing the risk of battery damage or electrical system issues.
CTEK’s 25-Year Legacy
CTEK has been a trusted name in battery charging, maintenance, and protection for over 25 years, providing easy-to-use chargers that intelligently assess battery health and apply the correct voltage to recharge and recondition batteries. Tony Zeal, Training Manager at CTEK, highlighted CTEK’s reputation for performance and reliability, as they produce chargers for over 40 of the world’s leading car manufacturers.
‘Charge Your Car Day’ serves as a reminder of the vital role car batteries play in our daily lives. Regular battery maintenance not only reduces breakdowns but also extends battery life, limits costly repairs, and safeguards complex electrical systems.
As people increasingly use their cars less due to economic challenges, a car battery charger becomes a valuable money-saving tool. This year’s message is clear: get moving, stay moving, and keep charging!
