Optima batteries are not gel batteries. That are an Absorbed Glass Mat design, Spiral Cell. Gel batteries are mostly used in little scooters (Rascal) and Helicopters, as we were told by Johnson Controls the other day in class. Johnson Controls makes the Optima line, the Duralast(Auto Zone) line, Autocraft(Advance Auto) Kirkland (Costco) Ever Start (Wal Mart) and many many more. They also make most OEM batteries for Ford, Chrysler, GM, Toyota, etc...