This part of IEC 60254 is applicable to lead-acid traction batteries used as power sources for electric propulsion.

The tests defined are relevant to all traction battery applications which include road vehicles, locomotives, industrial trucks and mechanical handling equipments. Tests which may be used specifically to test batteries developed for use in vehicles such as light passenger vehicles, motor cycles, light commercial vehicles, etc. may be found in alternative standards e.g. IEC 61982‑2.

The object of this standard is to specify certain essential characteristics of traction batteries or cells, together with the relevant test methods of those characteristics.

Although Part 2 of this standard defines dimensions of commonly used traction cells, the tests in Part 1 may be applied to cells and monobloc batteries of other dimensions, if the application is appropriate.