They changed them because the old ones were made of lead

 

My dad and I used to spend an hour or two over a molten lead pan, molding rifle balls for his muzzleloaders.
Now a lead battery terminal is a cause of major concern. A human may touch this from time to time, oh the Humanity!
haha

 

I suspect it was a matter of cost. Saving a nickel on a $20,000 vehicle.

 

Nope, wrong. It was to save the environment, just like the took lead out of house paint , HP2 pencils, drywall, stucco and other products.

 

According to a parts joint alternator test my voltage regulator has gone south.
I'll be replacing the alternator Friday, hopefully this (and the new battery) will put an end to this silliness. Wish me luck!