A review presents applications of different forms of elemental carbon in lead-acid batteries. Carbon materials are widely used as an additive to the negative active mass, as they improve the cycle life and charge acceptance of batteries, especially in high-rate partial state of charge (HRPSoC) conditions, which are relevant to hybrid and electric vehicles. Carbon nanostructures and composite materials can also play such a role. The positive active mass additions are generally less beneficial than the negative ones. Carbon can also be applied as a material for reticulated current collectors for both negative and positive plates. This modern technology allows to increase the battery specific energy and active mass utilization. Batteries with such collectors can show improved cycle life, owing to a better active mass mechanical support. Other recent use of carbon in secondary batteries is as supercapacitor electrodes. They can replace the negative plate or be connected in parallel with such a lead plate. These solutions increase the specific power and HRPSoC performance. Presented new carbon-based technologies in a construction of lead-acid batteries can significantly improve their performance and allow a further successful competition with other battery systems.

Motor vehicles are the backbone of global transport. In recent years, due to the rising costs of fossil fuels and increasing concerns about their negative impact on the natural environment, the development of low-emission power supply systems for vehicles has been observed. In order to create a stable and safe global transport system, an important issue seems to be the diversification of propulsion systems for vehicles, which can be achieved through the simultaneous development of conventional internal combustion vehicles, electric vehicles (both battery and fuel cell powered) as well as combustion hydrogen-powered vehicles. This publication presents an overview of commercial vehicles (available on the market) powered by internal combustion hydrogen engines. The work focuses on presenting the development of technology from the point of view of introducing ready-made hydrogen-powered vehicles to the market or technical solutions enabling the use of hydrogen mixtures in internal combustion engines. The study covers the history of the technology, dedicated hydrogen and bi-fuel vehicles, and vehicles with an engine powered by a mixture of conventional fuels and hydrogen. It presents basic technology parameters and solutions introduced by leading vehicle manufacturers in the vehicle market.