A car battery uses lead-acid technology to turn chemical energy into electricity. It accomplishes this through the usage of cells, which contain and store the energy until needed.

Most standard car batteries contain six cells that are situated in a row inside the plastic casing. Each cell contains a lead dioxide plate and a lead plate. Together, they create two volts for each cell—which is why it’s often referred to as a 12-volt battery.

The rows of cells are submerged in sulfuric acid, which triggers a chemical reaction between the lead dioxide and lead plates, and this creates lead sulfate and ions. As the ions move freely around the lead plates, another chemical reaction occurs, which produces hydrogen and lead sulfate.

The movement of ions generates electricity that moves to either the positive or negative terminal of the battery. The two wires that connect to your car battery then disperse the electricity to the starter motor and other vital electrical systems.