The gel electrolyte is a key factor affecting the performance of lead-acid batteries. Two conventional gelators, colloidal and fumed silica, are investigated. A novel gel electrolyte is prepared by mixing the gelators with sulphuric acid. The physical property testing demonstrates that the mixed gel electrolyte is more mobile, has a longer gelling time, greater stability and a better crosslinking structure than its counterparts as compared with any single gelling agent. The electrochemical properties indicate that the mixed gel electrolyte can suppress the oxygen evolution reaction, reduce the resistance to charge transfer at open circuit potential, increase the initial capacity, demonstrating that it is a promising gel electrolyte for lead acid batteries. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.