Abstract: A retainer type lead-acid battery having an electrolyte impregnated and retained only in a separator and positive and negative active materials, the battery having an improved high discharge rate performance at low temperatures. In accordance with the invention, the separator is made of chopped glass fibers having an average diameter of no more than 5.0 microns. The battery is fabricated such that applied pressure to an assembled element in the dry state prior to electrolyte filling is kept at a pressure of 5 to 50 Kg/dm.sup.2. The positive active material is composed of a lead powder blended with anisotropic graphite in an amount of at least 0.1% of the weight of the lead powder. Preferably, the battery is assembled with unformed positive and negative plates into an assembled element, which is subsequently filled with an electrolyte and subjected to formation in a container.