What Is Tarkov Car Battery?
The Tarkov Car Battery is a high-value in-game item in Escape from Tarkov, categorized as an energy element. This 12V 51A lead-acid battery weighs 12kg and occupies a 3×2 inventory slot. Primarily used for trader tasks and hideout upgrades, it’s sought after by in-game merchants for resale in areas lacking power infrastructure. Key spawn locations include Customs’ warehouse shelves, Forest’s logging camp, and Shoreline’s industrial zones.
What defines the Tarkov Car Battery’s gameplay role?
This mission-critical item bridges progression in trader quests and hideout development. With a 25 XP loot value, it’s essential for tasks like “Battery Change,” requiring players to install batteries in specific map vehicles.
Weighing 12kg, the battery demands strategic inventory management—its 3×2 slot size often requires backpack prioritization. Pro Tip: Use scav runs to transport batteries, minimizing risk to your main character’s gear. For example, completing Mechanic’s “Car Repair” task might require delivering two batteries alongside spark plugs, rewarding rare weapon mods. Beyond storage challenges, battery spawns follow weighted RNG—Customs’ Warehouse 21 shelves offer a 15% spawn chance per raid, while Forest’s Scav House has 8%.
| Location | Spawn Rate | Extraction Proximity |
|---|---|---|
| Customs Warehouse | High | Near ZB-1012 |
| Forest Logging Camp | Medium | Close to Northern UN Roadblock |
Where are optimal Car Battery spawn locations?
High-yield zones include industrial areas and technical supply racks. Shoreline’s Power Station and Interchange’s OLI logistics section frequently spawn batteries near electrical equipment clusters.
Customs remains the most reliable—check the blue warehouse’s metal shelves (Grid E2-3). Forest players should prioritize the sawmill’s storage hut, where batteries spawn on upper shelving units. Pro Tip: Night raids increase uncontested looting chances at these hotspots. Consider this: A squad looting three consecutive Customs raids typically secures 1-2 batteries through coordinated shelf checks. However, Interchange’s Techlight store, while having 10% spawn rates, risks PvP encounters—balance risk versus reward based on your loadout.
How does the Car Battery interact with hideout upgrades?
This power component enables critical hideout modules. Upgrading the Generator to Level 2 requires two batteries alongside wires and capacitors, unlocking extended fuel efficiency.
The battery’s 12V output aligns with in-game electrical systems—crafting the Solar Power Array needs four batteries to simulate energy storage. Warning: Don’t use batteries for crafting until completing related quests; Mechanic’s “Introduction” questline might demand them unexpectedly. For instance, players who prematurely convert batteries into hideout upgrades often stall their trader reputation progress, requiring tedious re-farming.
Battery Expert Insight
FAQs
Yes, but traders pay 18,000₽—better to hoard them for tasks. Flea Market listings often hit 80,000₽ post-wipe.
Do batteries persist through deaths?
Only if stored in a secure container. Their size requires Beta/Gamma containers—standard 2×2 cases won’t fit.
Are battery spawns time-gated?
No, but server resets every 90 minutes refresh loot tables. Target raids immediately after maintenance.