Red Seal Automotive Service Technician Practice Exam

What type of battery is most commonly used in vehicles?

1. Nimh battery

2. Lead-acid battery

3. Lithium-ion battery

4. Alkaline battery

The correct answer is: Lead-acid battery

The lead-acid battery is the most commonly used type of battery in vehicles, primarily due to its reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Lead-acid batteries provide a significant amount of starting power needed for internal combustion engines, making them ideal for automotive applications where a high burst of energy is required to start the engine. These batteries are constructed with lead plates and sulfuric acid, resulting in a robust design that can withstand the harsh conditions of a vehicle's environment, including temperature fluctuations and vibration. They are also easily recyclable, which aligns with environmental considerations increasingly important to consumers and manufacturers alike. While lithium-ion batteries are gaining popularity, particularly in electric vehicles for their lightweight and efficient energy storage, they are not prevalent in conventional vehicles that rely on gasoline or diesel engines. Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and alkaline batteries are used in some applications but are not practical for the demands of automotive starting systems. Thus, the lead-acid battery's combination of proven technology, performance, and affordability makes it the standard choice in the automotive industry.