Halfords is equipping its 460 service centres with diagnostic equipment, products and training to sell and fit stop/start battery technology in customers’ cars.

Following a £500,000 investment, the company will now be stocking battery variants required for vehicles with start/stop capability.

Dave Poulter, head of trading at Halfords, said: “Just like the drivers of more conventional vehicles, we believe that the estimated 1.5m million owners of start/stop vehicles in the UK should be able to shop around in search of good value in order to keep their motoring costs to a minimum.

“Our research places us anywhere between 20% and 40% cheaper than a main dealer - depending upon the vehicle brand.”

Halfords stop/start batteries are made by Yuasa and priced at £174.98 including fitting for the 096 AGM and £199.98 for the 019 AGM.

EU fleet targets mean that around 45% of all vehicles on the road will feature start/stop technology by 2020 - with around 50% of all new cars now having it fitted as standard.