The
lead–acid battery was invented in 1859 by French physicist
Gaston Planté and is the oldest type of
rechargeable battery. Despite having a very low energy-to-weight ratio and a low energy-to-volume ratio, its ability to supply high
surge currents means that the cells have a relatively large
power-to-weight ratio. These features, along with their low cost, makes it attractive for use in motor vehicles to provide the high current required by
automobile starter motors.