Varta – battery expertise for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and electric mobility

At IAA Mobility 2025, Varta will present its broad portfolio of 12-volt batteries and demonstrate that lead-acid batteries continue to play a key role in vehicle construction despite the e-boom. The solutions range from classic starter batteries to long-life AGM systems – all developed for high cycle stability, recyclability, and reliable energy supply in modern vehicle architectures.

Three technologies for different requirements

The focus is on the 12-volt segment, which Varta offers in three technological stages. The basis is the SLI battery (“Starting, Lighting, Ignition”), the classic starter battery that has been used in conventional vehicles for decades. It supplies the energy required to start the engine and power electrical consumers in the vehicle electrical system.

This is followed by EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) technology – an advanced wet battery with significantly improved cycle stability. It enables more charging and discharging cycles, which roughly doubles its service life compared to the SLI battery. This design is particularly suitable for vehicles with start-stop systems, where the battery is regularly subjected to high loads for short periods of time.

At the top of the range is the AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery. Here, the electrolyte is bound in a glass fiber mat, similar to water in a sponge. This technology enables up to three times higher cycle performance than the conventional SLI variant and ensures maximum service life and vibration resistance. It is also increasingly being used in electrified vehicle architectures where a stable on-board power supply is crucial.

Applications from car to truck batteries

Varta is showcasing two examples from its product family at the trade fair: the EFB H9 with 105 ampere hours – the largest model in the portfolio – and the AGM H3, a compact auxiliary battery that serves as an auxiliary power source in electric vehicles. Both represent the trend toward more robust, efficient, and application-specific energy storage devices. Varta is also pursuing the same three-stage structure in the commercial vehicle sector. However, the requirements for long-distance transport differ significantly from those in the passenger car segment. Modern trucks have so-called “hotel functions” – heating, lighting, and entertainment electronics in the cab – which also operate when the vehicle is stationary. This requires batteries that can withstand deep discharge over a long period of time without losing performance. AGM technology in particular has established itself as the standard here, as it offers a significantly higher cycle count and robustness compared to conventional batteries. It guarantees energy supply even with repeated deep discharges, making it ideal for long-distance transport.

Circular economy and recycling as a core principle

A central component of the corporate strategy is the closed material cycle. According to its own figures, Varta recycles around 8,000 lead batteries per hour worldwide and returns the raw materials obtained to production. This makes lead-acid batteries one of the best-recycled industrial products of all. All of the company's batteries are fully recyclable, and their design is consistently geared towards sustainability. This approach reduces dependence on primary raw materials while strengthening security of supply within the company's own production network.

Future viability of the 12-volt system

Even though electromobility is increasingly dominated by high-voltage systems, 12-volt technology remains an indispensable part of vehicle architecture. It supplies safety-related components such as brakes, airbags, and control units, even when the high-voltage system is switched off. Varta positions itself here as a supplier that combines classic battery technology with modern requirements – from small cars to long-distance trucks.

Conclusion: Balance between consistency and change

With its three battery platforms, Varta covers the entire spectrum of vehicle applications – from standard starter batteries to heavy-duty AGM solutions for electric mobility and commercial vehicles. The focus on recycling, resource conservation, and service life shows that even traditional technologies can retain their place in an electrified future through innovation.