The use of high specific surface area (>10 cm(2) cm(-3)) reticulated current collectors in lead-acid batteries was studied by cyclic voltammetry, 2 V battery testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Comparative cyclic voltammetry experiments revealed differences in the electrochemical behaviour of reticulated and book-mould current collector designs, with regard to both PbSO4 and PbO2 film formation. Battery testing showed that the electrochemical utilization efficiency of the positive active material (PAM) in flooded cells equipped with about 10 pores cm(-1) reticulated collectors was between 30 and 50% higher than for the book-mould grid battery at discharge rates from 5 to 3 h. For instance, at the 3 h rate the PAM utilization efficiency was 45% and the capacity was 101 Ah (kg PAM)(-1) for reticulated collectors as opposed to 29.5% and 66 Ah (kg PAM)(-1), respectively, for a battery equipped with conventional grids. The results were attributed to differences in PAM morphology as shown by SEM micrographs.