Lead Spot Price
Live lead prices and interactive charts
Frequently Asked Questions About Lead Prices
What is lead used for today?
Lead's modern applications focus on: lead-acid batteries (85% of demand) for automotive and industrial use, radiation shielding in medical and nuclear facilities, ammunition and shooting sports, building construction (roofing, soundproofing), and specialized glass production. The battery sector dominates, driven by automotive demand and energy storage applications.
What drives lead prices?
Lead prices respond to: (1) Automotive battery demand (replacement and new vehicles); (2) Industrial battery demand (backup power, forklifts); (3) Mine supply and secondary (recycled) lead availability; (4) Chinese production and demand; (5) Environmental regulations; (6) LME inventory levels; and (7) Crude oil prices (influence on vehicle usage). Battery markets drive 85% of demand.
Is lead affected by electric vehicles?
EVs present both headwinds and tailwinds for lead: headwinds from replacing lead-acid starter batteries in combustion vehicles, but tailwinds from continued hybrid vehicle use, increased 12V accessory battery needs in EVs, growing backup power and energy storage demand, and grid-scale storage applications. Net impact is debated - batteries remain essential across multiple sectors beyond automotive starting.
What is secondary lead?
Secondary lead is produced from recycling, primarily from spent lead-acid batteries which have a >95% recycling rate (highest of any commodity). Secondary lead provides 50-60% of global supply, offering cost advantages and environmental benefits over primary mining. This circular economy model makes lead markets unique and helps stabilize prices.
Is lead a good investment?
Lead offers unique characteristics: stable demand from battery replacement cycles, high recycling rate creating secondary supply, less media attention (potential opportunity), exposure to automotive and industrial sectors, and environmental constraints limiting new mine development. Risks include environmental regulations and long-term EV impact uncertainty. Access via futures or diversified base metal funds.
What are lead-acid battery alternatives?
While lithium-ion dominates EVs, lead-acid batteries retain advantages in specific applications: lower cost (1/10th of lithium), established recycling infrastructure, cold weather performance, robustness in harsh conditions, safety and simplicity, and suitability for 12V automotive systems and stationary backup power. For starting-lighting-ignition and backup power, lead-acid remains competitive despite newer technologies.