Four graphene oxide samples with different oxygenated groups are prepared and characterized, and then employed as the additives in the negative active materials to investigate the effect of different oxygenated groups of graphene oxide on the H2 evolution performance of negative plates and the high-rate partial-state-of-charge cycle life of simulated lead-acid batteries. The results indicate that the H2 evolution and the reduction of PbSO4 processes are largely accelerated by the graphene oxide additives. An increase in CO groups (COH and COC) of graphene oxide can largely promote the H2 evolution process. The addition of the graphene oxide additives largely increases the surface area and total pore volume of the negative plates, meanwhile obviously increases the hydrophilicity of negative active materials to facilitate the diffusion of acid into the inner of the plate. The high-rate partial-state-of-charge cycle life of the simulated test cells containing the graphene oxide samples is prolonged significantly, and especially those containing graphene oxide with less CO groups and more carbonyl and carboxyl groups have the longest cycle life, which seems to be more appropriate as the additive of negative plates.