Komatsu to trial sodium-ion battery forklifts

Komatsu has been offering electric forklifts for some time, featuring models with standard batteries, ones with maintenance-free lead-acid batteries as well as units equipped with lithium-ion batteries for extended, heavy-load operations.

Now, Komatsu has unveiled a prototype of its new sodium-ion battery forklifts to cater to worksites with shortened, light-load operations.

According to Komatsu, these worksites tend to stick to conventional engine forklifts due to the high initial costs of electric machines, but the sodium-ion battery units may change that.

Komatsu’s concept machine is equipped with a sodium-ion battery pack developed by Shanghai Hirano Environment Technology using sodium-ion battery cells manufactured by Jiangsu Highstar Battery Manufacturing, and is designed for Komatsu's 1.5-ton class electric forklifts.

Komatsu said the sodium-ion batteries have lower energy density but support rapid charging, allowing continuous operation through frequent recharges.

Their long cycle life (the number of times the battery can be repeatedly charged and discharged) also prolongs the interval before battery replacement becomes necessary, allowing for the reduction of running costs.

In addition, sodium is an abundant mineral which ensures stable supply and possible cost reductions in the future, presenting significant advantages, Komatsu said.

“Expanding the range of electric forklifts will accelerate the electrification of all types of worksites, aiding in the reduction of environmental impacts and the achievement of carbon neutrality,” Komatsu said.