A Heavy Industry Goes Light on Emissions
The global push for zero-emission cargo handling has arrived at one of logistics’ heaviest lifters: the reachstacker. With electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered options now emerging, we’re witnessing the start of a major transformation in how ports and yards move the world’s largest cargo.
So, who built the first electric reachstacker? Where are we now? And what can operators expect in the years ahead?
Kalmar: Pioneer with Modular Battery System
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Electrification start: Kalmar launched its first electric reachstacker in 2019.
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Battery options: Four lithium‑ion battery sizes—smallest supports 3–4 hours continuous operation; largest up to 10 hours—ideal for single‑shift use with opportunity charging during breaks
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Battery life & charging: Offers 10–12 year lifespan at 80% capacity, backed by 5‑year warranties
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Installed base: Over 10,000 reachstackers globally (across diesel and electric)—with electric units deployed in trials at Suez and Vestas sites
Konecranes: Entering the Electric Era
Electrification start: Historically launched world’s first hybrid reachstacker (date precisely known). Fully electric model scheduled for 2026.
Drivetrain tech: Hybrid version uses serial diesel‑electric system, supporting regenerative braking via super-capacitor storage.
Battery info: No specific battery-hour stats yet available—electric launch pending development.
SANY & Other Manufacturers
SANY: Aggressively expanding EV reachstacker line, especially in China and export markets.
CES Srl & Camblift: Offer hybrid or electric reachstackers up to 350 T—blending diesel, HVO100, or full electric systems
Hyster’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) ReachStacker
Pilot Deployment
Hyster successfully deployed in a live setting at the Port of Valencia since September 2023 as part of the EU-funded H2Ports initiative
- Also recognized for its innovation in 2024 and 2025, earning awards such as the Global Good Awards, Green GOOD DESIGN, and the BIG Innovation Awards
Technical Highlights
Combines a Nuvera fuel cell with onboard Li-ion batteries, delivering up to 10 hours of continuous runtime. Refueling takes just 10–15 minutes, closely matching diesel-equivalent uptime
- Eliminates diesel engines and transmissions, reducing noise, maintenance, and greenhouse gas emissions
Why Not Pure Battery-Electric (Yet)?
Hyster explains that for heavy-duty reachstackers, purely battery-electric power demands massive battery packs—nearly the size of the machine itself—to maintain full-shift runtime. Charging infrastructure would need to support power-theoretic levels equivalent to running a small village
When Is Battery Electric Feasible?
Battery-electric reachstackers are better suited to:
Lower-duty cycles
Facilities with reliable opportunity charging
Ports with grid capacity to support high-power charging demands
But for intense, continuous operation, especially in production or heavy-lift environments, Hyster’s HFC solution offers a viable zero-emission path today, without the downtime or space penalties of batteries alone.
Summary: Hyster’s Path in Heavy-Duty Electrification
Pilot success: Launching and testing HFC reachstacker in demanding port environments.
Real-world performance: Matching diesel runtime with fast refueling and system resilience.
Strategic choice: Opting for fuel-cell hybrid rather than impractical battery-only solutions.
Bottom line: Hyster is one of the few manufacturers currently field-testing a full-sized zero-emission reachstacker, not battery electric but hydrogen-fueled, representing a strategic bridge toward sustainable heavy handling operations.
Installed Base: Who Leads Today?
Kalmar leads currently—with a global installed fleet of over 10,000 reachstackers, a growing share now electric or hybrid
Konecranes is still in early hybrid phase; pure-electric rollout expected in 2026
SANY is growing fast, especially in China, but globally smaller than Kalmar’s base
Emerging players (CES, Camblift) offer high-capacity units regionally—yet their global numbers remain modest.
Conclusion: Today, Kalmar stands as the market leader in electric reachstackers thanks to early adoption, modular battery architecture, warranty-backed performance, and significant real-world deployments.