Currently, the following can be differentiated three types of batteriesStarting, stationary and traction. 

Starter Batteries:

High peak currents are demanded from them for short periods of time. Once the engine starts, the alternator begins to charge them. Its normal state, the 90% of its life is of rest at full load and its design is oriented to increase the number of plates, decreasing its thickness, to increase the plate surface in contact with the electrolyte, which is the characteristic of the battery that facilitates high intensity peaks.

Stationary Batteries:

These batteries operate with medium depth discharges and slow recharge. Normally, they service alarms or emergency equipment that come into operation only once a month. Therefore, they are constantly at float and at full charge. A stationary battery is supplying current in service for only 3% of its lifetime. Its design uses medium-thickness components providing for slow rate discharging and charging.

Traction batteries:

The traction batteries operate in 4-8 hour shifts, with full discharges in each cycle. They are designed with thick plates to resist the loss of active mass from repeated deep discharges, which reduces their lifetime. In addition to deep discharges, these batteries face consumption peaks similar to those of starter batteriesThis makes them even more demanding and detrimental to their durability.

It is clear that the idea that traction batteries work with medium currents has to be put aside. The traction battery has all the disadvantages of a starter battery and receives a much more harmful treatment:

• Charges are done manually, the user, once the shift is over, connects the battery to the charger and completes (or not) the charge cycle. Partial charges are equally detrimental to battery life.
• Open lead-acid batteries need electrolyte replenishment, as gassing during charging causes losses. The correct level is not always maintained and this results in additional capacity loss.