In your June roundup, we bring you the news on the materials handling battery market. Discover what's happening with the world’s first open-source electric forklift, a breakthrough in zero-downtime battery charging for automated equipment, key electric forklift product launches, and the industry’s continued push towards the electrification of ports.

In June

BSL Battery unveils what it believes is the world's first "self-protection" forklift lithium battery system with a built-in aerosol fire extinguisher that provides a three second fire extinguishing reaction.

RoyPow reports that production at its new Indonesian manufacturing facility in Batam, which is currently under construction, is expected to begin in September or October this year.

JLG Industries releases its first electric telehandler. The E313 electric telehandler has a payload capacity of 3,500 lb. and is powered by 48V lithium-ion batteries with an onboard charging system.

Konecranes launches its E-Hybrid RTG (rubber-tyred gantry crane) and electric empty container handler to the global market. The RTG expands the traditional diesel battery hybrid-powered RTG to electric battery operation. Its batteries can charge via cable reel or busbar system and all the parts of the battery technology are field-proven.

The Western Propane Gas Association (WPGA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) agree to settlement terms in the case involving implementation of California’s Zero-Emission Forklift (ZEF) regulation. This means that there will now be no requirement for large spark-ignited (LSI) forklifts to begin to be phased out from 2026.

EnerSys expands and re-opens its advanced manufacturing facility in Sumter, South Carolina. According to the company, the 34,000-sq.ft. (3,159 sqm) expansion will reinforce the resilience of its domestic supply amid evolving global market conditions.

Hangcha continues its ambitious expansion in Southeast Asia with the opening of a site in Selangor, Malaysia. The site will focus on forklift sales, service, equipment rentals, lithium battery solutions, and AGV for Malaysia and nearby regions.

Hyundai Cradle, the innovation arm of Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), and Capow, a provider of power delivery solutions for the robotics field, successfully complete a proof-of-concept (PoC) test examining the elimination of automated guided vehicle (AGV) and autonomous mobile robot (AMR) downtime.

EnerSys joins the Logisnext Promatch parts program, allowing Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas customers to choose between both Hawker and EnerSys traditional lead-acid batteries, as well as advanced maintenance-free thin plate pure lead (TPPL) batteries.

Combilift unveils two new electric products at the Ligna 2025 trade show—the Combi-FSE 8000, a four-wheel, 8T, electric side loader, and the Combi Load Xtendr load extender.

In May

Yale Lift Truck Technologies introduces the latest in its N Series, the ERP2.2-3.5N electric forklift, which comes with a choice of a lithium-ion, lead acid, or TPPL (thin plate pure lead) batteries to meet differing requirements.

HD Hyundai XiteSolution (HDX) announces the launch of its new electric forklift range, with payload capacities between 4T and 9T, which, according to HDX, makes it the first Korean company to launch medium and heavy-duty electric forklifts onto the market.

International fruit terminal, Berth 55, at the Port of Los Angeles, completes the electrification of its entire fleet of 44 forklifts, making it the first of SSA Marine’s terminals to fully transition to a zero-emissions operation.

Liebherr’s Container Cranes celebrates its 25th anniversary with the rollout of an “enhanced” rubber-tyre gantry (RTG) cranes portfolio, which includes five new electric and hybrid models with a variable speed generator option.

DP World orders 12 fully electric Kalmar straddle carriers for its London Gateway logistics hub, including high-energy batteries and FastCharge charging stations.

EP Equipment and Jungheinrich enter a strategic partnership, which kicks off with EP’s support and promotion of Jungheinrich’s new Mid-Tech brand AntOn by Jungheinrich electric counterbalance and warehouse forklifts.

Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas opens its 73,500 sqft. (6,781sqm) electrification fabrication facility. The USD20 million facility is designed to meet rising demand for its electric Class I and Class II products.

EP Equipment introduces its new Green Range of remanufactured lithium-powered electric forklifts, which repurpose the chassis and counterweights from old diesel forklifts.

In April

Brazil’s first private container terminal, Portonave, orders 14 Konecranes fully electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs). These RTGs can continue to operate uninterrupted in the event of a power outage, with each able to operate for four hours on the batteries.

EnerSys previews its NexSys BESS (battery energy storage system) and Synova Sync charger systems designed to improve efficiency by up to 97%. The systems work together to efficiently store energy which allows this energy to be utilised as cost-effectively as possible.

Big Joe launches its LCE65S integrated lithium-ion, cushion-tyre forklifts and LPX155 permanent magnet synchronous motor control, powered by a high-voltage lithium-ion battery and a mobile power unit.

Kalmar Corporation starts producing electric empty container handlers at its Shanghai production facility in a move to better serve customers with shorter lead times, reduced import duties, and lower freight costs.

Noblelift North America introduces its Alpha-50v1.0 open-source electric forklift as part of a global sustainability project focused on helping the world transition from internal combustion engines to clean electric power.

Hangcha introduces its XH high-voltage lithium forklift for heavy-duty applications. The company says its battery box, integrated with an independent thermal management system, allows for higher voltage to increase charging power and to accelerate charging time.

Combilift unveils the fully electric COMBi-SPI, with a capacity up to 30T, and designed for the transport of high loads including pre-cast concrete, wall panels, or glass A-frames.

Amita Technology (Thailand) signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Toyota Material Handling Warehouse Solutions - Thailand (TMHWST) to introduce lithium-ion batteries under the TerraXell brand for electric forklifts. 

Keep coming back, we will continue to update you on the latest battery developments in June as they happen.

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