By application type, the global lead acid battery market is segmented as transportation, stationary industrial, motive industrial, stationary industrial, commercial, residential and grid storage. Transportation and stationary industrial collectively contributed to around 77.9% of market revenue in 2014. Transportation was the largest end-use application in the global lead acid battery market in 2014, and is anticipated to continue its dominance through 2020. Stationary industrial is the second largest contributor to the global lead acid battery market, and is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period.

Moreover, key challenges in the lead acid battery market are raw material price volatility, and emission standards. Lead is the essential raw material used in the manufacturing of lead acid batteries. Lead prices account for approximately 49% of the overall cost of the lead acid batteries. Any fluctuations in lead prices affect the overall profitability of lead acid battery manufacturers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published new lead emissions standards under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in November 2008. The new standards curb lead emissions by restricting off-site concentration standards for lead in air from 1.5 mg per cubic meter to 0.15 mg per cubic meter. These factors are inhibiting the growth of the lead acid battery market.

Region-wise, Asia Pacific is the largest contributor in the global market, and is expected to continue its dominance till 2020. Currently, the Asia Pacific lead acid battery market is valued at US$ 15,297 Mn and is expected to reach US$ 19,881 Mn. by 2020. North America and Western Europe are other major markets contributing 21.6% and 18.7% respectively, to the global lead acid battery revenue. Eastern Europe accounted for the lowest contribution in terms of revenue in 2014, but is expected to register the highest growth at a CAGR of 5.5% over the forecast period.