By AMIT GHOSAL
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March 3, 2026
Running a single forklift or managing a fleet across numerous logistics centres? There may well be a temptation to consider lithium-ion traction batteries for powering those forklifts – after all, it offers the opportunity to charge between shifts or even mid-shift as needed, reducing the planning required to keep your operation running smoothly. But lithium-ion costs more than traditional, proven lead-acid solutions, and it requires expensive changes to your charging infrastructure; it’s quite the commitment. So is there a third way? It turns out there is, thanks to CEIL ORC traction batteries from Espex Batteries Ltd. ORC is a range of lead-acid batteries that offers opportunity charging, just like lithium-ion, without the added expense and within existing charging infrastructure. They’re manufactured to offer: - Consecutive shifts with one battery - Extended lifespan (up to 3000 shifts with rapid opportunity charges) - 1800 cycles (tested per IEC/BS/EN standard) - Robust construction (same thick tube and spine configuration as regular CEIL traction batteries) for enhanced performance without compromising lifespan - Two shifts in a row, with rapid opportunity charging - Researched novel active materials enable rapid recharge @ 0.4CA (40A per 100AH) up to 1 hour - And at the end of the battery’s life cycle it retains significant scrap value too Espex’s chief executive, Amit Ghosal, comments: “Why follow lithium-ion trends when you can trust the CEIL-ORC legacy? Our 2-volt lead-acid traction batteries deliver the rugged reliability that built the industry, now upgraded with modern opportunity-charging capability to keep your forklifts moving over extended shift timings, up to two shifts.” If you’d like to know more, please call Espex Batteries on 029 2070 5453 .