An electrochemical cell comprising a cell housing , and an electrode assembly disposed in the cell housing , the electrode assembly comprising positive electrode plates alternating with negative electrode plates and separated by at least one separator , wherein each of the positive electrode plates comprise an electrically conductive first substrate ; a first coating disposed on the first substrate , where the first coating is formed of a first active material ; a first clear lane that is disposed along an edge of the positive electrode plate , the first clear lane being free of the first coating; a first opening disposed within the first clear lane , and a fold along a first fold line that extends along a margin of the opening , whereby a portion of the first clear lane overlies a side of the electrode stack ; and each of the negative electrode plates comprise an electrically conductive second substrate ; a second coating disposed on the second substrate , where the second coating is formed of a second active material; a second clear lane that is disposed along an edge of the negative electrode plate , the second clear lane being free of the second coating; a second opening disposed within the second clear lane , and a fold along a second fold line that extends along a margin of the second opening , whereby a portion of the second clear lane overlies a side of the electrode stack ; and the electrochemical cell comprises an electrically conductive first inner plate that extends through each first opening and is electrically connected to each of the positive electrode plates , and is disposed between each of the portions of first clear lanes and the electrode stack , and an electrically conductive second inner plate that extends through each second opening , is electrically connected to each of the negative electrode plates , and is disposed between each of the portions of the second clear lanes and the electrode stack . a cell housing , and an electrode assembly disposed in the cell housing , the electrode assembly comprising positive electrode plates alternating with negative electrode plates and separated by at least one separator , an electrically conductive first substrate ; a first coating disposed on the first substrate , where the first coating is formed of a first active material ; a first clear lane that is disposed along an edge of the positive electrode plate , the first clear lane being free of the first coating; a first opening disposed within the first clear lane , and a fold along a first fold line that extends along a margin of the opening , whereby a portion of the first clear lane overlies a side of the electrode stack ; and an electrically conductive second substrate ; a second coating disposed on the second substrate , where the second coating is formed of a second active material; a second clear lane that is disposed along an edge of the negative electrode plate , the second clear lane being free of the second coating; a second opening disposed within the second clear lane , and a fold along a second fold line that extends along a margin of the second opening , whereby a portion of the second clear lane overlies a side of the electrode stack ; and an electrically conductive first inner plate that extends through each first opening and is electrically connected to each of the positive electrode plates , and is disposed between each of the portions of first clear lanes and the electrode stack , and an electrically conductive second inner plate that extends through each second opening , is electrically connected to each of the negative electrode plates , and is disposed between each of the portions of the second clear lanes and the electrode stack . <EOS>