Sulfation at the negative electrode is one of the major failure modes of lead-acid batteries. To overcome the issues of sulfation, we herein report solvothermal synthesis of titanium dioxide- reduced graphene oxide hybrid as negative electrode additive in lead acid cell. The presence of titanium dioxide-reduced graphene oxide hybrid additive (0.5 wt. %) provides high interfacial stability, slows down hard sulfation, high active material utilization by occupying pores on the negative plate. 0.5 wt. % of titanium dioxide-reduced graphene oxide hybrid (3:1 wt. ratio) additive to the negative active mass delivers 85% increase in capacity during the first formation cycle, and thereby increases the formation efficiency from 3 cycles to 1 cycle; >20% and ∼200% increase in capacity at low discharge rates of C/20 and high rates of discharge (2C), respectively as compare to conventional lead acid cell. Besides, 3:1 wt. ratio titanium dioxide-reduced graphene oxide hybrid additive cells show ∼200% increase in high rate partial state of charge cycle life in relation to conventional cell. Titanium dioxide-reduced graphene oxide hybrid additives to the negative active mass provides increase in conductivity, controls the crystallization of lead sulphate growth, acts as a capacitor, decreases the hydrogen evolution and hence enhances the electrochemical performance. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd