Abstract: A lead-acid battery having a positive electrode with an electrically conducting current collector bus plate, a honeycomb matrix structure extending from at least one side of the bus plate forming multiple positive active material compartments and an acid ion porous retainer means adjacent the open ends of the material compartments, the compartments containing positive active material having lead oxide reactive material and an electronic conductive additive within an acid ion porous structure. The electronic conductive additive increases the electronic flow from the reaction site in the positive active material to the current collector bus plate. This invention provides an improved positive active material with an electronic conductive additive. The positive active material, positive electrodes and lead-acid batteries of this invention provide high energy densities and high cycle lives suitable for use in electric vehicles.