What this market covers
Rechargeable batteries that start engines and power vehicle electrics, made with lead plates and acid electrolyte. Buyers are vehicle makers, battery distributors and fleet operators.
Typical segments
- Flooded batteries
- Absorbed glass mat batteries
- Enhanced flooded batteries
- Commercial vehicle batteries
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +58% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €549.6 million of products under CN code 85071020 (Lead-acid accumulators of a kind used for starting piston engines (starter batteries),) from outside the EU in 2025. | 549.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 85071020 were up 58% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€347.0 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +58 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 85071020 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.19 billion in 2025. | 1.19 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 85071020 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €3.07 billion in 2025. | 3.07 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Korea, Republic of was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 85071020 to the EU in 2025, with €132.2 million, or 24% of extra-EU imports. | 132.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 85071020 to the United States were €229.7 million in 2025. | 229.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 85071020 was €2.72 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.72 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 85071020 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €460.0 million. | 460.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 715 enterprises in NACE class C2720 (Manufacture of batteries and accumulators) in 2023. | 715 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 987 private establishments in NAICS 335910 (Battery manufacturing) in 2025. | 987 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 335910 employed an average of 62,159 people in US private industry in 2025. | 62,159 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 335910 was $97,272 in 2025. | 97,272 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85071020, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 549620788
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85071020, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 346981736; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 549620788
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85071020, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1192196956
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85071020, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3074882184
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85071020, partner KR, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 132150874
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85071020, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 229669985
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85071020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 549620788, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 2022376
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 85071020, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 460009714
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2720, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 715
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 335910, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 10
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335910, annual_avg_estabs 987
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335910, annual_avg_emplvl 62159
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335910, avg_annual_pay 97272
- Figure 10
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Battery distributors
- Fleet operators
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU automotive lead acid battery market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €549.6 million of goods under CN 85071020 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.19 billion.
Where does the EU import automotive lead acid battery from?
Korea, Republic of was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, Türkiye, North Macedonia.
What is the average import price of automotive lead acid battery in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.72 per kilogram for CN 85071020 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most automotive lead acid battery?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Spain, France.
How many US companies are in the automotive lead acid battery industry?
BLS counts 987 private establishments in NAICS 335910 (Battery manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the automotive lead acid battery industry?
Eurostat counts 715 enterprises in NACE class C2720 (Manufacture of batteries and accumulators).
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline