They can provide higher efficiency, lower energy consumption and reduced lifetime costs, without the higher upfront price, infrastructure demands, insurance concerns or end-of-life disposal challenges that can come with lithium.

Advances in battery chemistry, monitoring and intelligent chargers help control temperature and gassing, improving efficiency and reducing charging energy use. This can cut energy costs and lower CO2 emissions by up to 20%.

Some hybrid batteries can also be rapid-charged in as little as an hour, helping forklift trucks return to work quickly. Maintenance requirements are low, with some systems only needing water every 60 charging cycles, which can reduce topping-up to quarterly intervals.

For users, the benefits include lower operating costs, less downtime, longer warranties, suitability for heavy-duty applications and greater choice when selecting electric forklift power.