The　performance　of　the　self-discharged　gel　cell　has　been　studied　in　this　work.　Although　the　gel　valve-regulated　lead-acid　(VRLA)　batteries　were　shelved　for　nearly　3　years,　the　active　mass　structure　of　the　positive　plate,　its　resistance　and　the　corrosion　layer　of　the　grid　are　not　much　affected.　On　the　negative　plate,　the　potential　of　hydrogen　evolution　in　gel　cell　is　more　negative　than　that　in　AGM　cell.　So　its　self-discharge　rate　is　slower.　However,　there　is　still　slight　accumulation　of　big　PbSO4　crystals.　It　makes　the　resistance　and　overpotential　of　the　self-discharged　negative　plate　increase.　But　it　is　not　enough　to　limit　the　capacity　of　the　gel　batteries,　which　is　susceptible　to　the　electrolyte　amount.　And　the　capacity　of　the　long　self-discharged　gel　cell　can　be　completely　restored　by　recharging.　(c)　2005　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.