Varta L5 · Truck battery 12V 155Ah 900A

Varta L5 ProMotive SLI (formerly ProMotive HD) 155Ah 900A 12V Lorry Battery

The Varta L5 lorry battery is the 12 V, 155 Ah model delivering 900 A of cold cranking power (EN) from Varta's ProMotive SLI (formerly ProMotive HD) range, designed for lorries, buses, large vans and machinery. Measuring 510 × 218 × 230 mm and with the positive terminal on the right, it is the direct replacement for lorries that leave the factory with a 155 Ah battery in this format.

• Tolerance of the vibration of thousands of kilometres on the road.
• High cranking current for large-capacity diesel engines.
• Reliability through repeated starts and when powering cab equipment.
• Reinforced grids and casing for the severe demands of haulage.

Applications of the Varta L5 battery

With 155 Ah, the Varta L5 is sized for lorries, buses, large vans and machinery, as a direct replacement for the original battery. Check that it matches your current battery in dimensions, terminals and hold-down: this reference weighs 40,98 kg and has a type 1 terminal and a B03 hold-down.

Size and fitting of the Varta L5

The Varta L5 is made in the 510 × 218 × 230 mm format and weighs 40,98 kg. The positive terminal on the right determines which side the cables run to: it is the detail that causes the most buying mistakes, so it is worth checking before ordering. It uses a B03 hold-down and a type 1 terminal, the system that anchors it to the vehicle's battery tray. For the swap to be direct, the space your current battery occupies must respect those three dimensions and the same terminal layout; otherwise adapters will be needed or the hold-down will have to change.

The Varta L5 and the ProMotive SLI range

The ProMotive SLI range is Varta's starter line for industrial vehicles — lorries, buses and machinery — which in the new portfolio unifies the former ProMotive HD (Heavy Duty) and SHD (Super Heavy Duty). It offers a high cranking current for large-capacity diesel engines and a reinforced construction.

Its reinforced grids and separators cope with the vibration and cycling of long-distance haulage and of the most severe use, aiming for maximum service life and starting reliability in fleets that work long hours.

An industrial vehicle demands a high cranking current and the stamina to shrug off the vibration of thousands of kilometres. This series uses reinforced grids and a rugged construction to handle repeated starts of large diesel engines and the draw of the cab's auxiliary equipment. This battery used to belong to Varta's ProMotive HD or ProMotive SHD range; following the brand's commercial renaming (2025), it forms part of the new ProMotive SLI series.

Why choose a Varta battery

A good share of the vehicles on Europe's roads left the factory with a Varta fitted: the brand has been supplying the assembly lines of the major car groups for decades. Replacing with Varta means, in practice, giving the vehicle back the battery its manufacturer intended.

Varta batteries are made under the Clarios group with German technology and quality controls that make them one of the best-selling choices in Europe. As a lead battery, it is 100% recyclable through any collection point.

Varta is Europe's leading manufacturer of starter batteries: its production volume and quality controls guarantee consistent reliability batch after batch, something own-brand makers cannot always assure.

Manufacturer's warranty

The Varta L5 battery comes with the official manufacturer warranty. One important warning for industrial vehicles: most lorries carry two batteries wired in series (a 24 V installation). If you replace only one, the new battery ends up working alongside the old one — which has already lost capacity and has higher internal resistance; that imbalance leaves one overcharged and the other short, shortens the life of the new unit, and the manufacturer may treat it as misuse and void the warranty. That is why it is always advisable to change both batteries at the same time.

Care and maintenance

In professional use, checking the state of charge and the battery hold-down regularly prevents breakdowns on the road. Vibration and the high temperatures of the engine bay are the factors that shorten its life the most, so secure mounting is key. Keeping the terminals clean and tight and checking the charging system extends battery life in vehicles that clock up long hours. A well-maintained battery reduces the risk of downtime caused by a no-start.