The Advanced Lead/Acid Battery Consortium, the AI.ABC, has been organized in order to carry out research to optimize the performance of the lead/acid battery for electric vehicle (EV) applications. A research program has been laid out to develop valve-regulated battery technology for this application, which promises to be substantial due to legislation in the USA and environmental pressures in a number of Europe's largest cities. In order to carry out this program, the Consortium now consists of fourteen of the world's largest lead producers, twelve battery companies world-wide and several industry suppliers. A four-year program with a budget of some US $19.3 million is proposed, with half of that total coming from the ALABC and half proposed to come from various governmental sources from all parts of the world.