Checked......factory plugged on one end, open for vent trap on the other. I looked through the 4 batteries they had. 3 of them had the shipped date of this month. The other was from last April. I didn't write down the molded in numbers off the case so don't know the actual manufacture date, might look later if I get bored. I'm thinking they are phasing out this style battery in favor of the AGM style and when they are gone you are out of luck unless you have a spare $170 laying around. For that money i would probably spend a bit more and get a Braille.