Electric Forklift Market Trends: Heli, Hangcha and Global Buyer Signals

Electric forklift market trends in 2026 point to a more competitive global supply chain. China’s two leading forklift manufacturers, Anhui Heli and Hangcha Group, both reported growth in the first half of the year. However, their profit paths moved in different directions.

For overseas buyers, that contrast matters. It shows where pricing pressure, electrification, battery supply and local service models may move next. It also shows why the forklift itself and the lithium power system should be evaluated together.

What The H1 2026 Numbers Show

Anhui Heli remained the larger company by revenue. Its first-half revenue reached about RMB 11.17 billion, up 12.11% year on year. Yet its net profit attributable to shareholders fell to about RMB 672 million, down 17.80%.

Hangcha Group reported about RMB 10.10 billion in revenue, up 8.65%. More importantly, net profit attributable to shareholders reached about RMB 1.22 billion, up 8.89%. As a result, Hangcha showed stronger profit quality, even with a smaller revenue base.

Scale And Margin Tell Different Stories

Heli’s larger scale remains important. According to the figures cited in the company materials and industry data, its complete-truck sales reached about 258,000 units in the first half. Exports also rose strongly.

Still, margin pressure matters in the international market. If a manufacturer grows revenue but loses margin, buyers should ask where the cost pressure sits. It may come from exchange rates, raw materials, price competition, product mix or service investment.

Electric Forklift Market Trends Are Moving Toward Electrification

The broader industry signal is clear. China’s industrial vehicle market continued to grow in the first half of 2026, while electric models took a larger share of total sales. Battery-powered warehouse trucks and electric counterbalance forklifts now shape the mainstream conversation.

This change supports the lithium forklift battery market. However, it also raises the bar for battery matching. Buyers now compare charger power, duty cycle, usable kWh, BMS settings, thermal control and service response, not only truck capacity.

From Lead Acid Replacement To System Design

The early buying question was often simple: replace lead acid with lithium. Today, the question is wider. A forklift battery specification must match the truck’s voltage platform, route intensity and charging window.

For example, a light warehouse fleet may focus on uptime and fast opportunity charging. By contrast, a heavy-duty yard or paper-handling site may care more about high-current output, heat control and pack durability.

Global Buyers Should Watch Overseas Manufacturing

Exports remain a major growth driver. Heli’s overseas revenue was reported at about RMB 5.02 billion, close to 45% of revenue. Hangcha also continued to expand overseas and highlighted stronger local capabilities in regions such as Southeast Asia and Europe.

Manufacturing localization is the bigger signal. Hangcha’s Thailand manufacturing base opened in June 2026. In July 2026, Hangcha and Manitou also inaugurated HM Battery Solutions in France for lithium-ion battery solutions. Therefore, Chinese industrial vehicle makers are no longer only exporting finished trucks.

Local Presence Changes Procurement Risk

For a distributor or fleet owner in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia or Latin America, local presence can reduce uncertainty. Parts availability, service training, warranty handling and battery compliance become easier to verify when suppliers build closer to the customer.

However, a local factory does not solve every issue. Buyers still need to check documentation, charger compatibility, battery certifications, after-sales staffing and response times in their own market.

Battery Strategy Is Becoming A Competitive Layer

Forklift makers increasingly compete through batteries, drive systems and charging ecosystems. Hangcha’s reported battery joint venture in France is one example. Heli’s broader industrial chain also shows how important core components have become.

For independent forklift battery manufacturers, this creates both pressure and opportunity. OEMs want integrated systems. Meanwhile, aftermarket buyers still need replacement packs, custom dimensions, voltage matching and field support.

What Battery Buyers Should Ask

• Does the battery match the forklift voltage, tray size and counterweight requirement?
• Can the charger support the site’s real opportunity charging plan?
• Does the BMS communicate correctly with the truck and charger?
• Can the supplier document usable capacity, C-rate and thermal limits?
• Is local service available for troubleshooting, connectors and software settings?

A 48 volt forklift lithium battery may work well for smaller electric trucks. Heavy-duty equipment may need a higher-voltage lithium ion traction battery. In both cases, the pack should support the duty cycle instead of just matching a catalog number.

Smart Logistics Adds Another Filter

Both companies are also investing in intelligent logistics. Hangcha reported fast growth in intelligent logistics and robotics revenue. Heli also highlighted smart logistics, AGV systems and industrial mobile robots.

This matters because autonomous and semi-autonomous trucks often need more consistent power behavior. Predictable charging, fleet data, battery health monitoring and downtime control become part of the project design.

Automation Buyers Need Cleaner Energy Data

A manual fleet can tolerate some variation. An automated fleet cannot. Therefore, global buyers planning AGV or forklift robot projects should ask for clear energy models, charger placement plans and battery health data before scaling the project.

International Procurement Takeaways

The Heli and Hangcha comparison offers a useful view of the market, but it should not become a simple winner-and-loser story. Heli still shows scale, export reach and heavy R&D investment. Hangcha shows stronger profitability, faster overseas manufacturing steps and visible smart-logistics momentum.

For buyers, the practical lesson is more grounded. Price is only one part of the quote. The electric forklift battery supply chain, charger ecosystem, service network and local compliance package can decide the real cost after delivery.

• Compare lifecycle cost, not only purchase price.
• Ask how exchange-rate pressure may affect spare parts and future quotes.
• Check whether the supplier can support lithium batteries locally.
• Review battery documentation before approving a fleet conversion.
• Test charging windows against the actual shift schedule.
• Confirm whether smart logistics features need a different power plan.

Electric forklift market trends now connect truck design, lithium batteries, automation and overseas service. Global buyers who read the numbers this way can make better equipment choices, especially when planning fleet upgrades across more than one country.