Jungheinrich has reached another milestone in the development of sustainable energy storage solutions and is launching field trials of sodium-ion batteries in industrial trucks at selected customer sites. With this move, the company is underlining its role as a driver of innovation in material handling and its commitment to the further development of cutting-edge battery technologies.
Innovation for sustainable logistics
Sodium-ion technology is regarded as a promising alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Greater availability of raw materials, lower costs and a better environmental footprint characterise it. “We are working intensively on new battery technologies so that we can continue to offer our customers high-performance, sustainable and cost-effective solutions in the future,” explains Martin von Werder, Head of Technology Development at Jungheinrich.
Field trials for real-world applications
As part of the current project, vehicles are being fitted with lithium-ion batteries and tested in real-world customer use. The aim is to validate the performance and reliability of the new technology under a wide range of operating conditions, thereby gaining valuable insights for series production. The first prototypes have already been successfully built and tested in forklift trucks.
The advantages of sodium-ion technology are clear: sodium is widely available as a raw material worldwide and is not subject to geopolitical constraints. Furthermore, it offers Sustainability benefits – such as more resource-efficient production and good recyclability. Cheaper raw materials and components reduce manufacturing costs, thereby improving cost efficiency.
Research and development as the key
Jungheinrich works closely with international cell manufacturers and research partners to further develop the technology and tailor it to the specific requirements of material handling. Laboratory and field tests carried out to date have provided important insights into the service life, performance and safety of the batteries.
By testing the sodium-ion battery, Jungheinrich is reaffirming its commitment to embracing innovation at an early stage and playing an active role in shaping it. The aim is to pass on the benefits of new technologies to customers as quickly as possible, thereby contributing to sustainable and future-proof logistics.
