2V/40Ah valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) cells have been constructed with negative plates employing carbon black as well as an admixture of carbon black+fumed silica as additives in negative active material for partial-state-of-charge (PSoC) applications. Electrical performance of such cells is compared with conventional 2V/40Ah VRLA cells for PSoC operation. Active material utilization has been found to be higher for carbon-black+fumed-silica mixed negative plates while formation is faster for cells with carbon-black mixed negative plates. Both faradaic efficiency and percentage capacity delivered have been found to be higher for cells with carbon-black+fumed-silica mixed negative plates. However, a high self-discharge rate is observed for cells with carbon-black+fumed-silica mixed negative plates.