Varta M18 · Truck battery 12V 180Ah 1000A

Varta M18 ProMotive SLI (formerly ProMotive HD) 180Ah 1000A 12V Lorry Battery

The Varta M18 lorry battery is the 12 V, 180 Ah model delivering 1000 A of cold cranking power (EN) from Varta's ProMotive SLI (formerly ProMotive HD) range, designed for lorries, buses, large vans and machinery. Its 513 × 223 × 223 mm dimensions and positive terminal on the left make it the exact replacement for the 180 Ah battery fitted as standard in many lorries.

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

Vehicles compatible with the Varta M18 battery

The Varta M18 is compatible with more than 1,436 vehicles: it is fitted as standard or as a replacement by brands such as MAN, Scania, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Iveco and Renault. If you are looking for a MAN battery or a Scania one in these dimensions, the M18 is one of the usual replacement references. Added to that list are models from DAF, Ginaf, Steyr, Terberg, Magirus-Deutz, Erf, Foden and BMC. It covers 34 original equipment references, one of the widest coverages in its format.

Size and fitting of the Varta M18

In terms of format, the Varta M18 measures 513 × 223 × 223 mm (length × width × height) and weighs 46,4 kg. The positive terminal on the left 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 B00 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 M18 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.

Compared with a passenger-car battery, this range is calibrated for severe, continuous use: greater mechanical strength and more tolerance of cycling and of the knocks of the road. It is the correct replacement for a lorry, bus or machine putting in long days. 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

Varta is a byword for reliability: original equipment in numerous European vehicles and one of the most proven brands on the market. Replacing your battery with a Varta restores OEM quality — the same performance as the factory-fitted unit — with the manufacturer's backing.

Behind Varta is Clarios, one of the largest manufacturers of starter batteries in the world and a supplier to the assembly lines of numerous car brands. That German engineering heritage translates into reliable starting year after year.

Varta's production combines automated lines with verification of more than 100 parameters per unit; that traceability is what underpins its reputation for reliable starting throughout the battery's life.

Manufacturer's warranty

The Varta M18 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.