Summer Travel and Recreation at All-Time High in Post-Pandemic World
For many, Memorial Day launches summer and all the fun associated with family vacations. Advanced lead batteries are ready to support your summer plans, whether that means hitting the highways, waterways, or golf balls on your favorite course.
According to AAA, 683 million Americans “will take to the road to satisfy their wanderlust,” which accounts for 94% of all summer travel. AAA attributes the popularity of road trips to travelers who like to create their own schedules and customize stops, based on their comfort level and interests.
How Lead Batteries Enable the Adventures
Lead batteries smooth the way to get travelers to their destination – and toys. How so? Lead batteries power personal and public transportation – nearly 284 million cars and trucks, and multiple other forms of vehicles for transportation, recreation and sports. For example, recreational vehicles (RVs) and many boats carry both an engine starting lead battery and a deep-cycle lead battery for powering navigation, lights and domestic equipment.
Lead Batteries Float Your Boat(s)
In a post-pandemic world, consumers have been more motivated to increase recreational activities, and lead batteries play a large role in this trend. At a recent battery industry conference, an industry executive reported that lead battery growth is being driven, in part, by a shift in consumer interests. The pandemic inspired people to increase recreational activities, like boating. In her presentation she noted that:
- New powerboat sales in 2021 totaled approximately 300,000 units, equating to the second highest sales year since 2007. The forecasted growth for 2022 is 3%. (Source: National Marine Manufacturers Association)
- More than 141 million Americans go boating each year on the 12 million registered boats in the U.S. (Source: Water Sports Industry Association)
- Boating remains the leading outdoor recreation in the U.S. (Source: National Marine Manufacturers Association)
In fact, recreational boating and fishing lead the outdoor economy. This includes traditional powerboats, outboard boats, jet boats and more, all powered by a lead battery. Even sailboats have two types of batteries.
Lead Batteries Rev Your RV
Thanks to lead batteries, more people than ever have become reacquainted with the great outdoors from a recreational vehicle (RV). RVs also require two types of lead batteries. One used for the starter, and the other (deep cycle batteries) gives off a lower amount of power over a longer amount of time; this type of battery is larger than the battery found in a typical automobile.
The popularity of RV living is showing no sign of slowing down. According to the RV Industry, new RV/camper sales finished 2021 at about 600,000 units, an increase of almost 40% compared to 2020.
“Interest in exploring the outdoors is by far the number one reason for people wanting to take an RV trip,” said Bill Baker, RV Industry Association senior director of membership and research. “There has really been a shift in people’s priorities.”
Lead Batteries Move Your Motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs
If an RV doesn’t suit your style, motorcycles have a unique mystique and appeal. One anonymous rider proclaimed, “Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.”
Again, lead batteries are essential to the ride. These high-performance batteries are rugged enough for extreme and challenging conditions. Lead batteries are ideal powersport batteries for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility task vehicles (UTVs), personal watercraft, scooters and other sport “toys” whose sales surged during the pandemic.
The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) reports that for the second consecutive year, new motorcycle and scooter sales are up. For the full year 2021, sales of all on-road motorcycles (including scooters, on-highway, and dual) were up 14.2%.
Powersport vehicle owners find that lead batteries have a proven history of safe use, affordability, and can be recharged if needed. They are the most common type of batteries in both ATVs and the increasingly popular side-by-side or UTV. A UTV is like a golf cart that’s designed for hauling, towing or taking a few passengers for a ride.
Lead Batteries Put the “Go” in Golfing
If you’re staying close to home this summer, the local golf course may be a great way to enjoy fresh air, family and friends. A golf cart can make your game more enjoyable.
Electric golf carts use 6-, 8- or 12-V batteries and are different from car batteries. While lithium batteries are one option, lead batteries cost less and remain a reliable solution. They have the added bonus of being nearly 100% recycled (unlike lithium batteries), making them a model of sustainability and circularity. In fact, lead batteries are America’s most recycled consumer product.
In addition, the lawn mowers used to manicure golf courses rely on lead batteries. They’ve long been favored as an affordable and simple battery technology, compared to other rechargeable batteries. In fact, lead batteries comprise 60% of the world’s rechargeable battery market. They’re also less sensitive to temperature changes, and don’t face the overheating and internal failure of cells that a lithium battery can. Indeed, lead batteries are the preferred choice when there are large areas of land to mow.
Lead Batteries Help Us Enjoy Summer Again
Whether traveling by car, RV, motorcycle or boat, Americans are more ready than ever to create vacation memories. As you hit the road this summer, advanced lead batteries will provide the innovative power solutions to move you from Point A to Point B … or wherever you want to go!
