The smootheness of operation could be designed into the operation if driven by consumer demand.
The one disadvantage of an electric braking system is moving the machine without a battery, even this obsticle can be overcome such as in the Raymond Order Pickers there are two bolts mounted beside the drive unit to release the brakes with. The Crown Order Picker has a DRIVE/TOW toggle switch which is great if there is power left in the battery but falls short of the mark in the case of battery failure or absense.