Reach stackers are the workhorses of container ports, designed to lift and move loaded shipping containers that can weigh more than 40 tonnes. The largest models tip the scales at over 70 tonnes before picking up any cargo, making them seem like an obvious candidate for hydrogen power, which offers high energy density and quick refueling for heavy equipment.
Yet according to a recent report, ports are instead buying battery-electric reach stackers. The article notes that while these machines look like a textbook hydrogen use case, the actual purchasing decisions are leaning toward batteries. This suggests that battery technology has matured enough to handle the intense power demands of lifting and stacking containers, even in the most challenging port environments.
The shift may reflect broader improvements in battery capacity, charging infrastructure, and total cost of ownership, though the source does not detail those factors. What is clear is that ports are voting with their wallets, and battery-electric reach stackers are becoming a practical reality—challenging the assumption that only hydrogen could decarbonize such heavy machinery.