A method of determining a stratification of an electrolyte in an active mass of positive electrode plates in rechargeable batteries includes determining a variation of at least one of a charging current and a charging voltage of the rechargeable battery occurring during charging of the rechargeable battery; and detecting a stratification of the electrolyte from an increased charging current consumption in the rechargeable battery as compared to an identical rechargeable battery without stratification when there is a fixed charging voltage variation or a reduced charging voltage when there is a fixed charging current variation.