Car batteries are heavy objects, but exactly how much do they weigh?
The typical weight of a standard car battery is between 25 and 60 pounds (~11-27kg). You can get a rough idea of the exact weight by looking at its size and Ah rating, but it also depends on what type of battery it is, its voltage, the water level, the manufacturer, etc. Hybrid car batteries have double this weight; electric car batteries might weigh 1,000 pounds or more. The heavy weight of lead-acid batteries is largely due to the lead in them.
| Car Battery Type | Weight Range (lbs) | Weight Range (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard car battery | 25 – 60 | 11 – 27 |
| Small car battery | < 25 | < 11 |
| Hybrid car battery | Up to 40 + up to 120 | Up to 18 + Up to 54 |
| Electric car battery | ~1,000 | ~454 |
| Heavy-duty truck battery | 70 – 190 | 32 – 86 |
I will go into more detail below.
Factors that Affect a Car Battery’s Weight
The battery size can give a rough indication of its weight, but it’s not the only factor.
Another is the type of vehicle. Generally, the larger the vehicle, the larger and heavier you can expect the battery to be. Yet another determining factor is the type of battery,
Types of Batteries
While most cars have similar-sized, standard batteries, different types of batteries have different weights.
- As found in most medium-sized cars, trucks, and SUVs, standard car batteries typically weigh between 25 and 60 pounds (or 11 and 27 kg).
- Smaller cars are likelier to have lighter-weight batteries weighing less than 25 pounds (~11 kg).
- Electric car batteries weigh around 1,000 pounds (~454 kg) on average but can be as much as 3,000 pounds (~1,360 kg) in higher-end models.
- Hybrid car batteries have two: a standard 12-volt battery, typically weighing up to 40 pounds (~18 kg), and an additional heavier battery, as found in electric cars, typically weighing up to 120 pounds (~ 54 kg).
- Larger car batteries are usually a heavy-duty type to handle the greater load. They are used, for instance, in large trucks, buses, and tractors. Tractor batteries weigh between 25 and 60 pounds, and bus batteries weigh between 130 and 190 pounds (~59-86 kg).
Hybrid Car Battery
What Makes a Car Battery Heavy?
You might be wondering what exactly it is that makes a car battery heavy.
The following components contribute to its weight:
- Lead – It’s a heavy element that makes up the most weight in a lead-acid battery. Non-lead-acid batteries are usually lighter.
- Cells – The more the number of cells, the more materials the battery will contain for each one and the heavier its overall weight will be.
- Charge – The more charged a battery, the heavier it will be. A fully-charged battery weighs more than a low-charged one.
Weight and Efficiency
The important capacity indicator of a battery is its Ah rating, not its size or weight.
So a large or heavy battery does not necessarily mean it can deliver more power. It might do, but only if its Ah rating is high.
Light batteries with high capacity may be preferable to heavier batteries with the same capacity. Not only that, a heavy battery will probably be more expensive as well.
Video Reference
Dad, how do I?
Fred Anderson Toyota