Flat Battery – Almost half of roadside assistance callouts are battery-related as CTEK urges Australians to ‘stay ready’
CTEK (em)powered by Charge Your Car Day 2026, encourages motorists to take simple steps to protect their battery, as modern vehicles place greater demands on their 12V systems.
Flat Battery – one of the country’s most common roadside headaches.
More than 40 per cent of Australian roadside assistance callouts are battery-related*, making a flat battery one of the country’s most common roadside headaches.
With Australians preparing for spring road trips, long weekends and the summer holiday period, battery charging and power management specialist, CTEK, is using Charge Your Car Day 2026 to encourage motorists to ‘Stay Ready’ by making battery care part of their regular vehicle maintenance routine.
Modern vehicles are smarter, safer and more connected than ever. But with that technology comes an often-overlooked consequence: today’s vehicles demand more from their 12V battery.
With up to 150 electrical consumers relying on the 12V battery*, it powers systems ranging from infotainment and navigation to keyless entry, lighting, safety features and automatic start-stop technology.
“A dead battery is never just a dead battery,” says Paul Oddy, APAC Regional Manager at CTEK. “It’s the missed meeting, the delayed school run, the road trip that starts with a call for roadside assistance or the weekend plans that suddenly change.
“Modern vehicles are packed with technology, but many drivers still don’t think about the battery powering it all. Charge Your Car Day is about helping Australian motorists understand that a few simple habits can make a real difference.
“Regular charging can help maintain battery health, while carrying a portable booster provides an added layer of preparedness if the unexpected happens. Together, that’s what it means to ‘Stay Ready’.”
Stay Ready Snapshot
Modern vehicles are demanding more from their batteries. Are Australian motorists keeping up?
The latest data paints a clear picture:
- 40% – More than 40% of roadside assistance callouts were battery-related in Budget Direct’s latest Australian data*.
- 150 – Modern vehicles can contain up to 150 electrical consumers relying on the 12V battery*.
- 72% – Of motorists surveyed by CTEK rarely or never check their vehicle battery.
- 1 in 5 – Surveyed motorists say they don’t know how to charge a vehicle battery.
The message is clear: vehicles are becoming increasingly sophisticated, yet battery care remains too often overlooked.
Why Today’s Batteries Work Harder Than Ever
Today’s 12V battery does far more than simply start the engine.
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles also depend on a 12V battery to operate many essential vehicle systems.
According to BITRE, the average age of Australia’s registered motor vehicle fleet was 11.54 years in 2025*, meaning millions of Australians are driving vehicles with an increasingly ageing electrical system.
At the same time, many motorists make shorter, more frequent journeys, which may not always provide sufficient time to fully replenish the energy used by the battery during starting.
Without regular charging, batteries can gradually become discharged, increasing the risk of unexpected breakdowns and potentially reducing overall battery service life.
For Australian motorists, this can be particularly relevant as vehicles are left sitting unused between weekend trips, school runs and daily commutes – or before heading off on longer spring and summer road trips.
Flat Battery – Charge, Boost, Stay Ready
CTEK believes staying ready comes down to two simple steps.
- CHARGE
Regular smart charging helps maintain battery health, reduce the risk of unexpected battery failure and can help extend battery service life. For example, the CTEK NXT 5 – CTEK’s compact, fully automatic 12V smart charger – is designed to maintain both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries with a simple “connect-and-forget” operation.
- BOOST
Even a well-maintained battery can fail unexpectedly. Using a portable battery booster provides peace of mind, helping drivers get moving again without relying on another vehicle.
Products like the CTEK RB 3000 and RB 4000 provide instant starting power for dead 12V batteries, delivering up to 30 and 45 starts respectively on a single charge – helping motorists get back on the road when they need it most.
Together, they provide confidence for every journey – from the daily commute to the long-awaited Australian road trip.
FIVE WAYS TO STAY READY THIS SPRING
- Charge your battery regularly
Particularly if your vehicle mainly does short journeys. - Check your battery before a road trip
Give your battery some attention before heading away for a long weekend or summer holiday. - Look after vehicles that sit unused
Don’t forget seasonal vehicles such as motorcycles, classics, caravans and boats. - Carry a portable battery booster
An added layer of preparedness if your battery unexpectedly lets you down. - Know the warning signs
Slow starting, dimming lights, electrical glitches or dashboard warnings can indicate that your battery needs attention.
CHARGE YOUR CAR DAY 2026
Throughout October, CTEK will work with retailers, distributors and automotive partners around the world to provide battery care advice, live demonstrations and educational content as part of Charge Your Car Day.
For Australian motorists, the campaign is a timely reminder that staying ready starts before their vehicle leaves the driveway.
This October 4th and 5th, customers can save 20% across the entire CTEK range at Repco stores nationwide or online, making it the perfect opportunity to pick up a CTEK charger and keep your battery in top condition.
To discover more battery care advice and practical tips, visit: https://ctek.com/
Stay Ready. Power Every Moment.
