Abstract: Various graphite additives were incorporated into the positive battery paste composition to compare their effects on the positive active mass utilization of lead-acid batteries. The disclosure is related to battery paste composition for preparing a lead-acid battery plate comprising a graphite additive selected from the group consisting of globular natural graphite, natural flake graphite, expanded flake graphite, and combinations thereof. The disclosure is also related to a battery paste composition comprising a sodium polymethacrylate dispersant. The disclosure is further related to batteries prepared by these battery paste compositions.