In this May through July roundup of materials handling battery news we pull together coverage on the latest field tests of sodium-ion batteries, with some promising results reported. Other news includes a new battery PACK production line for ROYPOW, a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for crane operations from Cavotec, and a new iF Award winning electric forklift product concept from HELI.

In July

Noblelift North America unveils its 7,000 lb. Alpha forklift, which is available in both lithium-ion and LPG configurations. According to the company, "Future lithium conversion kits will present the opportunity for Alpha LPG forklifts to be upgraded to lithium power, extending their operational lifespan.”

Electrovaya inks a deal with Amazon to support the continued deployment of its Infinity battery technology in retail giant's materials handling operations. Under the agreement, Amazon will receive warrants to purchase up to 13,880,345 common shares of Electrovaya, which become fully vested upon Amazon achieving cumulative future purchases of USD280 million.

HELI launches its new G3 Series 12-18T heavy-duty lithium-ion powered forklifts, which it describes as a new stage in its heavy-duty electrification. The series, designed for ports, railway freight yards, mining and metallurgical operations, features a versatile battery platform and full-shift endurance.

HM Battery Solutions, the joint venture between China's Hangcha Group and France’s Manitou Group, is officially inaugurated with the opening of its first lithium-ion battery production facility in Le Mans France.

Noblelift USA unveils its 22,000 lb. (10T) capacity FE4P220N heavy duty lithium-ion powered forklift, designed for demanding industrial applications. The forklift is provided with a fast-charging, 96V lithium-ion battery, which can be fully charged in 2-2.5 hours. 

Sodium-ion batteries have been put to the test in cold weather conditions, with commercial vehicle manufacturer, FAW Jiefang, and HiNa Battery reporting the batteries retained over 90% of their usable capacity after long-term testing in extreme conditions down to –40°C. The tests, no doubt, will have implications for the global materials handling sector.

Turkish-headquartered port and container terminal operator, YILPORT Group, orders 53 automated and manual e-hybrid rubber-tyre gantry (RTG) cranes for operations across three continents.

Khalifa bin Salman Port (KBSP) in Bahrain receives a new electric reach stacker to replace a diesel unit. The forklift is powered by 507 kWh battery supporting 10 to 12 hours of continuous operation, with dual-gun fast charging reaching 95% in two hours. 

ROYPOW lunches a high-capacity battery PACK production line at its headquarters in Huizhou, China. With the line adding 1GWh to ROYPOW’S annual capacity, total annual PACK production across different product categories will now exceed 8GWh.

In June

Hyster introduces its E45-70XN2 counterbalance electric forklift, which can be powered by a variety of batteries including purpose-built Hyster lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid and pure-lead batteries. 

LiuGong Machinery delivers an electric reach stacker to a customer in Tanzania. According to the company’s sales manager for Africa, Li Yu, the introduction of the electric reach stacker is a significant step in advancing green logistics in Africa.

Eneroc USA becomes the first lithium-only battery manufacturer to be admitted to the Battery Council International (BCI). According to BCI president Roger Miksad, the council traditionally has focused on lead-acid battery manufacturers, but is now growing to include flow, sodium, lithium-ion, and other emerging chemistries. 

Exide Technologies is re-awarded the EcoVadis gold rating for 2026, recognising its commitment to sustainability. This places the company among the top 5% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis in the last 12 months.

Yale Lift Truck Technologies launches its integrated lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries and chargers. The batteries feature a modular battery pack design enabling service of individual modules, rather than requiring replacement of the entire pack. 

Manitou Group unveils 10 new lithium-ion powered semi-industrial and rough-terrain forklifts, featuring an on-board 3kW charger (compatible with a standard 220 V socket), complemented by a 9kW option for ultra-fast 2.5-hour charging cycles (for a charge time of 20% to 80%). 

Swiss-headquartered Cavotec introduces its new modular and mobile energy storage system PowerAccESS. The system has been developed to provide reliable zero-emission power for rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes during block changes as a one-to-one replacement for diesel generators.

STAPLERMAXX expands its range of telescopic handlers to include electric and hybrid models as well as traditional diesel units. “The electric and hybrid models in the expanded line-up enable contractors to maintain productivity while complying with environmental regulations that are becoming standard across Swiss municipalities,” the Swiss manufacturer states.

In MAY

Jungheinrich begins field trials of sodium-ion batteries in its materials handling equipment. According to the company, the batteries are being tested in real-world conditions at selected customer sites to “validate the performance and reliability of the new technology under a wide range of operating conditions, thereby gaining valuable insights for series production”.

Hyster launches its XTLG integrated lithium-ion forklift series into the Americas. According to the company the series uses approximately 75% less energy than a comparable diesel model according to VDI cycle testing, while providing ICE-like performance.

HELI is named winner of the product concepts at the iF Design Awards for its 55T heavy duty, electric concept forklift, which it described as “the world’s largest electric forklift”. According to HELI the forklift, designed by Heli’s European R&D centre, features a fast-charging battery that delivers 10 hours of operation after just one hour of charging — achieving 40% greater efficiency than diesel models.

Hyster launches an integrated power solution which includes lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry to offer batteries and high-speed chargers. The charging cable plugs into an easy-access port with built-in interlock sensors preventing operators from moving the forklift while plugged in.

From the blogs: What triggered the battery revolution - how falling LFP prices made electric forklifts the only logical choice.

ENEROC USA’s marketing director Max Khabur explores how the rapid decline of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery prices transformed lithium from a premium upgrade into the most cost-effective choice in the materials handling market and consequentially powering the acceleration of electric forklifts in the industry.
Read the blog.

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