Lead-acid batteries power the starter motors of nearly all modern cars. These batteries provide electricity for various functions, such as starting the engine and powering the lights. Traction batteries are also used to power forklifts. In this application, battery mass is used as a handy stabilising counterweight.
There are many types of lead-acid and traction batteries:
- Starter batteries: these are mainly found in cars, motorcycles, boats, buses and trucks. Starter batteries are also known as car batteries. Traction batteries are used for vehicles such as forklifts and electric pallet trucks. Starter batteries can provide large amounts of current for a short period of time. This is the least expensive type of battery.
- Stationary batteries: these mainly act as emergency power supplies for power stations, computer systems, hospitals, ships, telephone exchanges, security systems and the chemical industry. These stationary batteries, also known as semi-traction batteries, provide lower amounts of current than starter batteries.
- (Full-) traction batteries: these batteries have a longer lifespan than stationary batteries, but are also considerably more expensive.