The charge characteristics of a lead–acid cell are observed by using a numerical simulation. The effect of various parameters, such as the concentration exponent of charge reaction, morphology parameter and limiting current density, on the cell voltage during charge has been investigated by including the dissolution–precipitation mechanism of the negative electrode. As the charging current density is increased, the concentration gradient is increased due to the high resistance of the electrolyte migration, especially at the interface between the positive electrode and the reservoir.