Exide EK720 · Start-Stop battery 72Ah 760A AGM

Yes. AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) technology, 72 Ah and 12 V: sealed lead-acid, with the electrolyte held in glass fibre. Compared with a conventional battery it withstands more charge/discharge cycles and handles heat better; it is the required technology for cars with advanced Start-Stop and regenerative braking.

Yes: being AGM, the Exide EK720 is designed for Start-Stop cars. AGM batteries support advanced Start-Stop and regenerative braking thanks to their higher cycle count. Once fitted it is ready to go; registering it via OBD, advisable on most modern models, lets the alternator charge with the optimum profile. The general recommendation is EFB for basic Start-Stop and AGM where there is regenerative braking (it handles more cycles), unless the car manufacturer says otherwise.

Before you start, check the car handbook: the manufacturer's procedure always comes first. Our full step-by-step guide is on the blog. With a 10 mm spanner, swapping in the Exide EK720 takes 15 to 30 minutes on most cars; if the battery sits in the boot or under a seat, allow up to twice as long. The right order: engine off and key out; disconnect the negative (−) first, then the positive (+); release the hold-down clamp, lift out the old battery and seat the new one in the same position (positive on the right), keeping the polarity; reconnect the positive (+) first and the negative (−) last. With Start-Stop there are three more points: the negative terminal usually carries a battery sensor (IBS), so undo the cable at the terminal nut without removing the sensor; register the battery via OBD so the alternator applies the correct charging profile; and fit the same technology as the original (AGM or EFB) or higher, because a conventional battery wears out within months.

As a guide, you can expect the Exide EK720 to last 5 to 8 years in mild-climate car use with Start-Stop, although the real figure may be higher or lower. What weighs most: temperature (cold makes starts harder and intense heat evaporates the electrolyte), frequent short trips, the condition of the alternator and charging system, power draw while parked and maintenance, not forgetting the type of car and Start-Stop.

Check the room available in your car, because a single millimetre too much can stop the clamp from closing. Its dimensions are 278×175×190 mm, also written 278x175x190 mm; the height already includes the terminals. In European terms it is a L3 case.

On the Exide EK720, the polarity is positive on the right. To check, stand the battery in front of you with the terminals nearest you: the positive (+) is the one with the red ring. A change of polarity from the original means longer cables or a reconfigured system and can cause a short circuit: check it before ordering.

Three routes: the "Compatible vehicles" tab on this page, with the vehicles verified by our technical team; your number plate in the finder, from which DGT/DVLA/KBA detect model and engine; and WhatsApp, with make, model, engine and year, during business hours (Mon–Fri 10:00–13:30 and 16:30–18:00 (Spanish time, CET)). The compatibility list for the EK720 runs to 1,221 verified vehicle versions. Always cross-check with what the car manufacturer states in the owner's handbook.

Technology matters too: in Start-Stop cars, an EFB cannot be replaced with a conventional battery. The options at the same level are in the "Equivalents" section of this page. To replace the Exide EK720 without modifications, the other battery must be identical in size (L3 case), polarity, Ah and CCA.

Sister reference of the EK720, practically identical on paper. Compared with the EK720 it has the same Ah and cranking power. It costs 4,80 € less. Choose by price and availability: in real use you will not notice a difference.

It is the verified Varta equivalent for the EK720 tray. Compared with the EK720 it has 2 Ah less. It costs 14,35 € more. Decide by price, brand preference and availability: both fit and crank the same.

This EK720 delivers 760 A cold cranking (EN). In an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery the electrolyte is held in a glass-fibre mat: no spills, and many more charge/discharge cycles than a conventional battery. For regenerative braking systems such as BMW EfficientDynamics, Mercedes Eco, Audi MHEV, Land Rover ECO or Volvo i-Stop, AGM is the recommendation; it also copes better than an EFB with tilting, vibration and extreme temperatures.

The alternator detects the new battery and adapts the charge automatically, so on most cars it is not compulsory. Even so, it is advisable to register it via OBD so charging is optimum from the first minute and the battery lasts longer, particularly on BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volvo or Land Rover, with more sophisticated BMS. Without registration the car starts normally; the alternator simply takes a few days to adjust the profile. Any workshop with an OBD scanner does it in a few minutes; DIY, with VCDS or Carista (VAG group), Bimmercode (BMW) or iCarsoft.