Lead-acid accumulators for starting engines market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for lead-acid starter batteries in Germany began the period at 14.3 million units in 2018. Growth to 15.3 million units in 2019 occurred despite tightening environmental regulations, including a ban on traditional lead casting and EU restrictions on lead content, which reinforced the cost advantage and recyclability of lead-acid batteries in automotive applications. The following year, market volume dipped slightly to 15.1 million units as COVID-19 pandemic disruptions affected supply chains for battery materials and delayed projects.

A sharp rebound followed in 2021, with the market reaching 16.5 million units. However, this was followed by a severe contraction to 11.8 million units in 2022 and a further decline to 10.4 million units in 2023. The drop in 2023 was influenced by the introduction of a stricter deposit fee for lead-acid batteries, which added a cost for consumers not returning an old battery, dampening replacement demand.

The market recovered to 12.8 million units in 2024, supported by the launch of advanced AGM-type lead-acid batteries by major players like Exide and sustained demand from the automotive sector for vehicles with start-stop systems and conventional engines.

Production lead-acid accumulators for starting engines in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of lead-acid accumulators for starting engines has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 983 million US dollars, marking a modest decrease of 8.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.9%, with an average annual decline of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

In 2020, Germany produced 16,994 thousand units of lead-acid accumulators for starting engines, which is 4.6% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 7.9%, translating to an average annual drop of 2.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 5.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Exports lead-acid accumulators for starting engines from Germany

Exports in kind, K unit

In 2020, Germany exported 14,732 thousand units of lead-acid accumulators for starting engines, showing a controlled decline of 3.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 4.6%, with an average annual decrease of 1.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of lead-acid accumulators for starting engines from Germany were Czechia, with 10.6% of exports in kind, the United States at 10.4%, and France at 9.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 30.5% of total exports in kind, indicating a diversified export structure with many smaller partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's exports of lead-acid accumulators for starting engines have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1,058 million US dollars, down by 3.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The highest value was in 2018, at 1,163 million US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019, at 6.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United States accounted for 9.8% of exports in value, Czechia for 8.4%, and France for 8.3%. Combined, these three countries made up only 26.6% of total export flows, with the remaining 73.4% spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports lead-acid accumulators for starting engines to Germany

Imports in kind, K unit

Germany's imports of lead-acid accumulators for starting engines have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 12,811 thousand units, reflecting a small rise of 0.7% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 4.9%, with an average annual increase of 1.6%. The lowest volume was in 2018, at 11,786 thousand units. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 3.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of lead-acid accumulators for starting engines to Germany were Czechia, with 20.3% of imports in kind, Spain at 16.5%, and Austria at 11.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 48.1% of total imports in kind, against a backdrop of many smaller partners, showing a broad but not dominant supply structure.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's imports of lead-acid accumulators for starting engines have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 552 million US dollars, indicating a slight decrease of 2.6% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 10.2%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018, at 621 million US dollars. The largest drop was in 2019, at 8.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading sources for imports in value terms of lead-acid accumulators for starting engines to Germany were Czechia, with 21.5% of imports in value, Austria at 14.5%, and Spain at 14.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 50.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020