Built to last—and last again—motive.li is the circular battery solution redefining sustainable forklift power.
In the race to decarbonise logistics and warehousing, forklift fleets are often overlooked—but they’re also one of the easiest wins. Internal combustion engines may still dominate many material handling yards, but change is coming fast. The combination of cleaner battery technology, stricter EU regulation, and a rising demand for circularity is reshaping what it means to run a sustainable operation.
At maxwell+spark, we believe this shift isn’t just about swapping fuels. It’s about rethinking how energy systems work—from design and use to reuse and recovery. That’s exactly why we created motive.li: a lithium-ion battery system engineered not just for performance, but for efficiency, longevity, and circularity.
One Battery. One Decade. Zero Compromise.
Let’s break down the numbers. In a high-intensity, triple-shift operation, one motive.li lithium-ion battery can replace up to six lead-acid batteries over 10 years. Where lead-acid requires multiple batteries per truck to cover three shifts (one in use, one charging, one cooling), motive.li supports round-the-clock uptime with a single pack. It charges faster, delivers consistent voltage, and removes the need for battery swaps, watering, or charging rooms.
The sustainability gains speak for themselves:
- Up to 88% more energy-efficient than diesel alternatives
- 25-35% less electricity consumption than lead-acid batteries for the same workload
- Around 600 tonnes of CO₂ saved over 10 years compared to diesel
- Zero maintenance downtime from watering or oil changes
- Fewer hazardous materials—no acid spills, no emissions, no used oil or filters
And this isn’t just theoretical. In the field, our customers are redeploying motive.li batteries from retired forklifts into new ones—replacing forklifts which have been utilised for over 18000 hours. That’s sustainability and performance in real-world action.
Circularity, Built In
Circularity isn’t a buzzword at maxwell+spark—it’s how we design. Every motive.li battery is built with modular construction and serviceability at its core. After 10-15 years of forklift service, the pack can be repurposed for second-life applications such as stationary energy storage or even continue in a new forklift—delivering another 5–10 years of value before recycling.
Our batteries are:
- Inspectable – for clear understanding of remaining life
- Repairable – with renewable components to extend use
- Reconfigurable – easily adapted to new trays, tanks, or system layouts
This design philosophy ensures that motive.li batteries don’t just outlast lead-acid—they outlive the machines they power. They’re not just rechargeable, but reusable.
We’ve also made a clear choice in our chemistry. motive.li cells contain no cobalt or heavy metals, aligning with stricter landfill policies in many regions. While our batteries are compliant with some landfill regulations (post-electrolyte removal), we firmly oppose disposal and advocate for a future where no battery ends up in the ground. The valuable materials in motive.li deserve better—and we’re designing for that future.
Regulation Meets Reality: Built for Compliance, Proven in the Field
The European Union is steering the battery industry toward a circular, low-carbon future—and motive.li is already ahead of the curve.
Under the European Green Deal, the EU aims for climate neutrality by 2050. The Circular Economy Action Plan prioritises smarter resource use, and the Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 sets out clear, binding targets for carbon transparency, recycled content, and end-of-life responsibility.
motive.li doesn’t just prepare you for what’s coming—it performs today. While other technologies are scrambling to comply, motive.li is already:
- Designed for modularity and second-life use
- Free from cobalt and other heavy metals
- Easy to inspect, repair, and reconfigure for extended service
- Supported by smart BMS technology that tracks usage and health data
What sets motive.li apart is not just compliance—it’s how compliance is integrated into performance. With motive.li, regulatory alignment isn’t an added feature; it’s built into the core. You don’t have to choose between meeting emissions targets and keeping your fleet running at full tilt. You get both.
From seamless 24/7 uptime to reduced energy costs and fewer breakdowns, motive.li proves that sustainability and productivity aren’t in conflict—they’re the future, working together.
Looking Forward
As recycling technologies mature and regulatory standards evolve, maxwell+spark remains at the forefront. We are committed to evaluating and improving our second- and third-life, as well as recycling policies to stay in sync with best practices worldwide.
This agility ensures our solutions not only meet today’s needs—but continue to align with tomorrow’s environmental goals. motive.li represents more than a better battery. It’s part of a system built for technological excellence, environmental responsibility, and regulatory readiness.
Future-Proof Your Fleet
The material handling world is heading electric. But not all electric options are created equal. motive.li gives you the power, reliability, and circularity edge you need to lead—not lag.
So ask yourself: will your next forklift battery be just another consumable?
Or will it be part of a smarter, cleaner, more circular solution?