Lead-acid battery
Base technology for automotive batteries: lead plates + sulphuric acid electrolyte. Invented by Planté in 1859.
The lead-acid battery is the technology family that covers virtually all current automotive batteries (SLI, EFB, AGM, GEL are all variants). Invented by Gaston Planté in 1859, it remains the most cost-effective option for engine starting thanks to its ability to deliver very high currents (hundreds of amperes) for seconds. Nominal voltage per cell: 2.0 V (a 12 V battery has 6 cells). Modest energy density (~40 Wh/kg) compared to lithium-ion (~150 Wh/kg), but it is highly recyclable (more than 95% of the lead is recovered in plant), cheap, reliable at extreme temperatures (-30°C to +60°C) and does not enter thermal runaway like lithium.
Modern variants (EFB, AGM) extend service life 2-3× compared to classic flooded lead-acid.