Varta N5 · Truck battery 12V 220Ah 1150A

Varta N5 ProMotive SLI (formerly ProMotive HD) 220Ah 1150A 12V Lorry Battery

The Varta N5 lorry battery is the 12 V, 220 Ah model delivering 1150 A of cold cranking power (EN) from Varta's ProMotive SLI (formerly ProMotive HD) range, designed for lorries, buses, large vans and machinery. Measuring 518 × 276 × 242 mm and with the positive terminal on the left, it is the direct replacement for lorries that leave the factory with a 220 Ah battery in this format.

In short: the Varta N5 (220 Ah, 1150 A, 518 × 276 × 242 mm, positive terminal on the left). Verified equivalent alternatives: Varta N9 and Varta LFD230.

• 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 N5 battery

According to our database, the Varta N5 is fitted to more than 54 vehicles from brands such as Volvo, Claas, Samsung, Orenstein & Koppel, Caterpillar and Valtra, among others. For anyone who needs to change the battery in their Volvo or Claas, this Varta N5 reproduces the original specifications. The compatibility list also includes models from Bröyt, Massey Ferguson, Hanomag, Case, Hydromac, Case International, Belotti and Demag.

Size and fitting of the Varta N5

In terms of format, the Varta N5 measures 518 × 276 × 242 mm (length × width × height) and weighs 56,79 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. Checking the three dimensions and the terminal position before buying avoids the most common mistake when replacing a battery.

The Varta N5 and the ProMotive SLI range

The ProMotive SLI is Varta's starter battery range for commercial and industrial vehicles; it consolidates the former ProMotive HD and SHD names into a single series organised by technology. It delivers a high cold cranking current and a construction designed for the severe demands of heavy haulage.

It is the dependable replacement for lorries, buses, tractor units and machinery working long shifts: resistance to road vibration, tolerance of cycling and guaranteed starting even after weeks standing idle.

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

When a workshop recommends Varta it is not down to marketing: it is one of the brands with the lowest return rates in the sector, with an application coverage spanning practically the whole European vehicle parc, from the city car to the industrial vehicle.

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 N5 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.