The price of a traction battery for an electric forklift in the POLIBET-EXPORT catalog starts at EUR 311 for the 12V 160Ah model and reaches EUR 9,078 for the 80V 1240Ah model. The difference is not arbitrary – it is determined by the voltage, capacity, construction family, and dimensions. Below, we explain which factors affect the price, what is not included in it, and when renting may be more suitable than purchasing.
In Brief
The price of a traction battery depends on the voltage (12V to 80V), capacity in ampere-hours, and construction family – PzB, PzSL, PzSH, or PzS. For lead-acid models, catalog prices are in euros excluding VAT but include the environmental fee. Lithium-ion batteries cost significantly more initially and are offered with a 3-year or 6,000 operating-hour warranty. Rental can be suitable for seasonal peaks and emergency replacement.
Contents
- What Determines the Price of a Traction Battery
- How Much Does a Traction Battery for an Electric Forklift Cost: Example Prices
- What Is the Price Difference Between Lithium-Ion and Lead-Acid Batteries
- Why the Battery Price Is Not the Entire Cost
- When Renting a Traction Battery May Be More Suitable Than Buying
- Is a Used Traction Battery Worth It
- What to Check Before Requesting a Quote
- What Changes from February 18, 2027
- How to Request a Quote
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Determines the Price of a Traction Battery
The price of a traction battery is determined by five measurable parameters: voltage, capacity, construction family, dimensions, and applicable fees. Each of them can change the final price significantly, so comparing two offers without this information makes little sense.
Voltage
Voltage is one of the main price factors. With the same capacity and construction family, increasing the voltage from 24V to 48V approximately doubles the price, while increasing it from 24V to 80V roughly triples it. The reason is the number of cells: a 24V battery consists of 12 elements of 2V, a 48V battery has 24 elements, and an 80V battery has 40 elements. In the catalog, a 24V 4PzB 300 costs EUR 1,059, a 48V 4PzB 300 costs EUR 2,008, and an 80V 4PzB 300 costs EUR 3,232.
Capacity in Ampere-Hours
Capacity is also a major price factor and determines how long the machine can operate between charges. For 24V PzB batteries, increasing the capacity from 150Ah to 525Ah raises the price from EUR 578 to EUR 1,699. Do not automatically choose the highest available capacity – a larger battery is also heavier, and its weight must be compatible with the machine’s counterweight and permitted load.
Plate Type and Construction
The construction family affects the characteristics, maintenance requirements, and price. The appropriate option should be selected according to the specific machine model and operating conditions. POLIBET-EXPORT offers four families of lead-acid traction batteries from Elhim-Iskra:
| Type | Catalog Data | Voltage Range in the Catalog | Example Price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PzB | Up to 1,500 operating cycles, option for automatic water topping-up, efficient ventilation system, additional protection of internal components | 24V, 48V, 80V | 24V 2PzB 150 – 578 |
| PzSL | Construction family with configurations for multiple voltages in the catalog | 12V, 24V, 36V, 40V, 48V, 72V, 80V | 24V 2PzSL 180 – 664 |
| PzSH | Separate construction family; capacity and price vary according to the specific model and do not follow a simple relationship with PzSL | 24V, 36V, 48V, 72V, 80V | 24V 2PzSH 210 – 716 |
| PzS | Capacities from 100Ah to 1250Ah, available as 2V cells and as batteries from 12V to 96V, up to 1,500 operating cycles, low water consumption | 12V to 96V | Upon request |
The catalog does not explicitly specify which operating conditions each family is intended for, so clarify this with the supplier according to your daily operating cycle. Full price tables are published in the section lead-acid traction batteries for forklifts and stackers.
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions do not directly affect the price, but they limit the available options and therefore indirectly determine it. The battery must fit into the machine’s battery compartment in terms of length, width, and height. If the available model with the required electrical parameters does not fit the compartment, another configuration must be selected – usually with a different number and arrangement of cells, which also changes the price.
Environmental Fee and VAT
The prices of lead-acid traction batteries in the catalog are in euros, excluding VAT and including the environmental fee. Prices of lithium-ion batteries are in euros, excluding environmental fees and VAT. This is important when comparing prices – the two columns are not based on the same conditions, and simply subtracting one from the other would give an incorrect result.
How Much Does a Traction Battery for an Electric Forklift Cost: Example Prices
A traction battery for an electric forklift costs between EUR 311 and EUR 9,078 according to the POLIBET-EXPORT catalog as of August 2026. The lower price is for the 12V 2PzSL 160Ah model, while the highest is for the 80V 8PzSH 1240Ah model. The table below shows how prices vary among the most commonly requested configurations.
| Voltage | Model | Capacity | Price (EUR, excluding VAT, including environmental fee) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V | 2PzSL | 160Ah | 311 |
| 12V | 6PzSL | 660Ah | 930 |
| 24V | 2PzB | 150Ah | 578 |
| 24V | 3PzB | 225Ah | 799 |
| 24V | 2PzSH | 210Ah | 716 |
| 24V | 8PzSL | 1120Ah | 2789 |
| 36V | 6PzSL | 360Ah | 1653 |
| 48V | 5PzSL | 400Ah | 2086 |
| 48V | 8PzSH | 1000Ah | 4896 |
| 72V | 6PzSL | 480Ah | 3718 |
| 80V | 5PzSH | 525Ah | 4751 |
| 80V | 8PzSH | 1240Ah | 9078 |
Prices are published in the catalog and are subject to change. Check the current price before placing an order.
What Is the Price Difference Between Lithium-Ion and Lead-Acid Batteries
A lithium-ion battery has a higher initial price, but the difference is not constant and varies between configurations. In the specific example from the comparison table on the website, a 25.6V 125Ah lithium-ion battery costs EUR 1,100 compared with EUR 580 for the specified lead-acid equivalent, 24V 2PzB 150. The charger for the lithium-ion battery costs EUR 190 and is added separately.
How to Compare the Two Prices Correctly
Directly comparing the two catalog prices can be misleading for three reasons:
- Lead-acid prices include the environmental fee, while lithium-ion prices do not.
- PolyBat lithium-ion batteries are charged using specially programmed chargers, so the charger price must be included in the calculation.
- The nominal capacity in ampere-hours is not the usable capacity. For PolyBat, the battery management system (BMS) is programmed to operate within a range of 10 to 90 percent, while for maximum service life the manufacturer recommends maintaining the charge between 20 and 80 percent.
What You Get for the Higher Price
PolyBat lithium-ion batteries are offered with a warranty of 3 years or 6,000 operating hours, with the option to extend it to 6 years or 10,000 operating hours. According to the manufacturer, they can last up to 20,000 operating hours when discharged from 10 to 90 percent. Charging takes 1 to 3 hours depending on capacity, current, and charging method, allowing opportunity charging during short breaks and, under suitable operating conditions, potentially reducing the need for a battery change.
PzS and PzB lead-acid traction batteries are rated for up to 1,500 operating cycles according to the catalog. They require periodic water topping-up and adequate ventilation in the charging area.
A detailed technical comparison, including the table of dimensional compatibility between the two technologies, is available in the section lithium-ion batteries for material handling equipment. Practical selection criteria are also available in the article Choosing the Right Lithium-Ion Battery.
Why the Battery Price Is Not the Entire Cost
The battery price is never the entire cost. Additional expenses include the charger, electricity, maintenance, and a designated charging area. The following costs are paid separately and are most often overlooked when preparing a budget.
Charger
The charger is selected according to the battery’s voltage and capacity and is not universal. In the catalog, chargers for lithium-ion batteries range from EUR 190 for models for 25.6V batteries to EUR 970 for models for 83.2V batteries. For lead-acid batteries, industrial battery chargers are available in two main versions – transformer and inverter, single-phase and three-phase.
Electricity and Charging Time
Electricity consumption depends on the shift pattern. In multi-shift operations with a lead-acid battery, a second battery is often required because charging and subsequent cooling take time. With a lithium-ion battery, opportunity charging during breaks can reduce or, in some operating conditions, eliminate the need for a spare battery, but this depends on the work schedule, capacity, and charger. Fast opportunity charging can create a higher instantaneous load on the electrical installation, so the charger power and available electrical supply should be checked in advance.
Maintenance and Water
Lead-acid traction batteries consume water and require periodic topping-up with distilled water. PzB construction offers an option for automatic water topping-up, reducing maintenance time. Lithium-ion batteries do not require electrolyte topping-up or regular maintenance.
Charging Station Area
Charging lead-acid batteries releases gases, so the charging area must have adequate ventilation. Whether this requires a separate room or whether a designated ventilated area within the existing warehouse is sufficient depends on the charging volume and the specific site. Practical charging guidelines are available in the article How to Properly Charge Traction Batteries.
When Renting a Traction Battery May Be More Suitable Than Buying
Renting may be the more suitable option when the need is temporary or when machine downtime costs more than the rental price. Whether renting is also cheaper depends on the specific terms and duration, so the decision should be made after receiving a quote. POLIBET-EXPORT offers traction batteries for rent with parameters specified upon request – voltage and dimensions L x W x H.
Seasonal Peaks
In production facilities and warehouses with strong seasonal demand, an additional battery may only be needed for a few months of the year. Purchasing a second battery for such a period means tying up capital in equipment that remains unused for the rest of the year, in addition to storage and maintenance charging costs.
Emergency and Interim Solution
If a battery suddenly fails, renting provides time to make a considered choice for a permanent solution instead of quickly purchasing whatever is immediately available. This is particularly useful for less common configurations where delivery times depend on availability.
When Renting Is Rarely Suitable
For constant, uniform workloads throughout the year, renting is usually not the first choice because the battery remains someone else’s property and the cost is ongoing. Before deciding, compare the total rental cost for the specific period with the purchase price, including the charger. Without a quote with specific terms, such a comparison cannot be made.
Is a Used Traction Battery Worth It
A used traction battery can be a reasonable choice only when its remaining service life is documented. A lead-acid traction battery loses capacity with every cycle, and this cannot be determined by appearance alone. Before purchasing a used battery, ask for:
- A capacity measurement report based on a discharge test, not just an open-circuit voltage measurement.
- Information about the year of manufacture and the number of completed cycles.
- Electrolyte density measurements for each cell – significant differences between individual cells indicate uneven wear.
- Information on whether the battery was left discharged for an extended period.
If this information is missing, the remaining service life cannot be properly assessed and the risk is borne by the buyer. The warranty for a used battery may be absent or limited and should be checked in advance. The factors determining the actual battery life are discussed in the article Traction Battery Life.
What to Check Before Requesting a Quote
An accurate quote requires several key pieces of information. Without them, any quoted price is indicative and may change after the configuration is clarified.
Machine Data
Record the machine’s make, model, and serial number, as well as the battery’s nominal voltage from the nameplate. For most electric forklifts and stackers, the voltage is indicated on the machine itself or in the technical documentation.
Data from the Existing Battery
Measure the battery compartment in length, width, and height in millimeters. Note the type and position of the terminal, as well as the direction of the cable. Record the designation of the existing battery if it is readable – for example, 48V 4PzS 500.
Operating Conditions
Describe the number of shifts, average operating hours per day, and whether there is an opportunity for charging during breaks. This information determines whether one battery is sufficient, whether two are required, or whether switching to lithium-ion technology makes sense.
Environmental Conditions
Specify whether the machine operates in a refrigerated warehouse, outdoors, or at high temperatures. For PolyBat lithium-ion batteries, the manufacturer specifies an optimum range of -5°C to +25°C, while operation above 45°C or below -20°C reduces efficiency and accelerates wear.
What Changes from February 18, 2027
From February 18, 2027, industrial batteries with a capacity of more than 2 kWh placed on the European Union market must have an electronic battery passport accessible via a QR code. The requirement arises from Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and waste batteries and applies to the economic operator placing the battery on the market, not to its user.
The practical significance for buyers concerns longer-term supply contracts. Many typical configurations for material handling equipment are above the 2 kWh threshold: a 24V 150Ah battery has approximately 3.6 kWh based on nominal values, while a 48V 400Ah battery has approximately 19.2 kWh. Smaller configurations may remain below the threshold, such as a 12V 160Ah battery with approximately 1.92 kWh.
If you are planning deliveries after February 2027, include a question in your inquiry about the supplier’s readiness to meet this requirement.
How to Request a Quote
A quote is prepared upon request after the technical parameters have been clarified. The inquiry forms on the product pages require the voltage, desired capacity, and dimensions in millimeters. The complete product range is available in the POLIBET-EXPORT products section.
For a non-standard configuration or less common model, you can contact the team in Kazanlak directly with the machine and existing battery data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does a 48V Traction Battery for an Electric Forklift Cost?
According to the POLIBET-EXPORT catalog, 48V traction batteries start at EUR 1,093 for the 2PzB 150Ah model and reach EUR 5,344 for the 8PzSL 1120Ah model. Prices are in euros, excluding VAT and including the environmental fee. The exact price depends on capacity, construction family, and dimensions, which must match the battery compartment of the machine.
Why Do Two Batteries with the Same Voltage and Capacity Have Different Prices?
The difference depends on the construction family and the specific model. The catalog does not universally define PzSH as a family for heavier-duty applications, and the price does not follow a simple relationship: a 48V 3PzSH 375Ah costs EUR 1,991, while a 48V 5PzSL 400Ah costs EUR 2,086. Dimensions, terminal configuration, automatic water topping-up systems, and ventilation solutions also affect the price. Confirm with the supplier which family is suitable for your operating conditions.
Is the Environmental Fee Included in the Battery Price?
For lead-acid traction batteries in the catalog, the environmental fee is included, while VAT is not. For lithium-ion batteries, prices exclude both environmental fees and VAT. Therefore, when comparing the two technologies, you should work with the final amounts rather than comparing the catalog prices directly.
What Happens to the Old Battery?
POLIBET-EXPORT provides safe collection of old batteries. For lithium-ion batteries, the company also provides disposal after the end of their service life. The process and requirements for returning batteries are described in the article Collection and Recycling of Traction Batteries.
Can a Battery Be Rented for Only a Few Months?
The rental period is agreed according to the specific case. When making an inquiry, specify the period for which you need the battery, as well as the voltage, dimensions, and operating conditions of the machine.
How Long Does Delivery of a Non-Standard Configuration Take?
The delivery time depends on the configuration and current availability and must be confirmed when requesting a quote. If you have a deadline for putting the machine into operation, state it clearly in the initial inquiry so that its feasibility can be checked.