Abstract: An electrode suitable for use as a lead-acid battery plate contains an inorganic metal oxide additive which enhances the formation of the plate. The additive is electrically conductive, stable in aqueous solutions of sulfuric acid, but does not participate in the electrode reaction. Suitable metal oxides include conductive oxides such as TiO.sub.2-x, WO.sub.3-x, MoO.sub.3-x, V.sub.2 O.sub.5-x, Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5-x, wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 1, mixtures thereof and mixed conductive oxides of these elements. The conductive oxides may also be used in electrodes for bipolar lead-acid batteries.