Batteries & chargers Banner-Aftermarket-SEP-2026-Ad.indd 1 08/09/2026 09:05 39 original-fit batteries) and have moved to higher-capacity units at the factory, with retrofit inspection and free replacement where affected. AGM is the logical upgrade but not a universal one AGM handles cyclic, partial-state-of-charge duty far better than flooded lead-acid, making it the obvious upgrade but with two caveats worth checking first. AGM needs a higher charge voltage than flooded batteries. Some platforms accept an AGM fitment without issue; others won’t charge it correctly without a BMS update, if one exists at all. So it is important to check compatibility before fitting. AGM also dislikes heat: where the OE battery sits near a heat source, an AGM upgrade won’t deliver any real service-life improvement over the original. Where AGM isn’t a safe fit, the more reliable choice is a likefor-like OE-technology replacement, backed by supplementary smart charging rather than a chemistry change. The upsell: smart charging Supplementary charging is also a straightforward upsell. A CTEK NXT5 alongside a replacement battery gives the customer a maintenance charger with a recondition mode aimed at reversing early-stage stratification and sulphation, whether the fitted battery is flooded or AGM. For fleet and vehicle sales operations, the CTEK CS ONE (second generation) is the stronger fit as its WiFi connectivity allows ongoing condition monitoring across a fleet, flagging batteries heading for failure before they strand a driver. A stock-holding question for distributors This has a knock-on for distributors too. Ioniq 5, EV6, Corolla and Yaris variants are high-volume cars, and these fault rates mean 12V demand is running well above standard parc-based forecasting. Distributors risk under-stocking the lines, with accelerated turnover of both direct replacements and AGM upgrades; the latter typically carries lower stock depth than flooded or EFB equivalents. None of this is a defect confined to one manufacturer or technology; rather, it’s a reminder that the 12V system is under more strain in hybrids and EVs than it ever was in a conventional car. For the aftermarket, that’s not a problem. It’s demand. veloris.com
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