Japan Lead-Acid Battery Market Overview, 2031

Japan Lead-Acid Battery Market Japan’s lead-acid battery market is anchored in automotive starting batteries, industrial standby power, telecommunications backup, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, forklifts, emergency lighting, railway infrastructure, renewable-energy storage, and motive-power applications. GS Yuasa, Furukawa Battery, Panasonic Energy, ENEOS, and other Japanese battery and electrical-equipment companies participate across manufacturing, distribution, recycling, and system integration. Automotive demand remains important because passenger vehicles, commercial fleets, buses, construction equipment, and motorcycles require dependable starting batteries, while industrial demand is supported by data centers, hospitals, factories, telecommunications facilities, railway systems, and emergency power installations. A conventional automotive lead-acid battery can retail at approximately ¥8,000–¥25,000 depending on capacity and technology, while industrial stationary batteries can cost from tens of thousands of yen to several hundred thousand yen per unit; large backup systems can require battery banks worth several million yen. Japan’s mature automotive fleet, disaster-preparedness culture, and extensive critical infrastructure create a replacement-oriented market in which reliability and service life are often prioritized over the lowest initial price.

The market has also evolved as Japanese users balance lead-acid technology against lithium-ion alternatives. Lithium-ion batteries offer higher energy density and longer cycle performance in many applications, but lead-acid batteries retain advantages in upfront cost, established recycling infrastructure, high surge-current capability, temperature tolerance, and proven standby applications. In Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Yokohama, and other major industrial centers, lead-acid batteries remain embedded in backup-power systems that cannot easily be replaced without modifying chargers, racks, monitoring equipment, and safety procedures. Since 2022, higher energy-security requirements and expanding data-center infrastructure have sustained interest in dependable backup batteries.

Industry Ecosystem Analysis Japan’s lead-acid battery ecosystem is unusually mature because manufacturing, vehicle distribution, maintenance, collection, and recycling have developed together over several decades. GS Yuasa operates a broad battery portfolio, while Furukawa Battery serves automotive and industrial requirements. Automotive dealerships, independent garages, battery distributors, electrical contractors, telecom operators, data-center operators, railway companies, and industrial maintenance firms form the downstream network.

Automotive battery demand is spread across passenger cars, commercial vehicles, buses, motorcycles, agricultural machinery, construction equipment, and specialized vehicles. Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Isuzu, Hino, and Mitsubishi Fuso contribute to the installed vehicle population, while dealerships and service workshops provide replacement channels. A replacement battery may be required every 3–5 years depending on vehicle type, climate, driving pattern, electrical load, and battery technology.

Industrial applications operate under different purchasing criteria. A telecommunications site may require dozens of batteries, while a hospital, data center, railway facility, or factory can operate hundreds of cells in a centralized backup system. System value can therefore extend from several hundred thousand yen to several million yen depending on capacity and redundancy requirements.



Automotive Battery Structure Starting-lighting-ignition batteries remain a foundational application. Japanese vehicles increasingly contain higher electrical loads because of infotainment, driver-assistance systems, sensors, electric accessories, start-stop systems, and connectivity equipment. This has increased demand for enhanced flooded batteries (EFB) and absorbed glass mat (AGM) technologies in appropriate vehicle applications.

EFB batteries improve cycling performance compared with conventional flooded designs and are suited to vehicles with moderate start-stop requirements. AGM batteries provide stronger cycling capability and higher vibration resistance and are used in vehicles with greater electrical loads. Their prices can be approximately 30–100% higher than conventional batteries depending on capacity and brand.

The replacement market is influenced by vehicle age. Japan’s mature vehicle population creates a recurring aftermarket requirement, with batteries replaced through dealerships, service centers, auto-parts retailers, and online platforms. Battery installation can add approximately ¥1,000–¥5,000 to the product cost, while premium vehicles may require battery registration or electronic-system initialization.

Industrial Standby Power Lead-acid batteries remain important where immediate backup power is required. Hospitals, financial institutions, factories, telecommunications networks, railway facilities, government buildings, and data centers use batteries with UPS or emergency power systems. VRLA batteries are particularly important because they are sealed and require less routine maintenance than traditional flooded batteries.

A stationary battery installation can contain dozens or hundreds of individual cells. A medium industrial backup system may cost approximately ¥500,000–¥5 million for the battery portion depending on capacity and redundancy, while larger data-center and infrastructure installations can be substantially more expensive.

Japan’s exposure to earthquakes, typhoons, flooding, and power interruptions strengthens demand for backup systems. Facilities in Tokyo and Osaka often have strict business-continuity requirements, while industrial sites in coastal areas also consider emergency operating scenarios. Battery procurement therefore emphasizes reliability, discharge characteristics, maintenance schedules, and replacement availability.

Telecommunications and Data Centers Telecommunications infrastructure uses batteries to maintain service during grid interruptions. Base stations, switching facilities, fiber networks, and communications centers require reliable backup systems because even short power interruptions can disrupt connectivity.

The expansion of cloud services and data centers has created additional demand for high-reliability battery systems. Tokyo, Chiba, Osaka, and surrounding areas are major data-center locations. Facilities may require multiple redundant power paths and battery strings, increasing the number of installed battery units.

Although lithium-ion systems are increasingly used in newer data-center projects, lead-acid remains competitive where low upfront cost, established maintenance procedures, and proven standby performance are important. Japanese operators also have extensive experience maintaining VRLA battery systems, reducing operational uncertainty.

Motive Power Applications Lead-acid batteries have traditionally powered forklifts, pallet trucks, cleaning machines, and warehouse vehicles. Distribution centers around Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka use large fleets of material-handling equipment, creating demand for traction batteries.

A forklift battery can cost approximately ¥200,000–¥800,000 depending on voltage, capacity, and configuration. Battery weight is not necessarily a disadvantage in forklifts because the battery can provide counterweight for the vehicle. However, charging time, battery-room requirements, ventilation, watering, and replacement labor can increase operating costs.

Lithium-ion forklift batteries are gaining ground where multi-shift operation, rapid charging, and reduced maintenance justify higher capital expenditure. Lead-acid remains competitive in single-shift operations and price-sensitive warehouses.

Recycling and Circular Material Flow Lead-acid batteries have a strong recycling advantage because lead can be recovered and reused. Spent batteries are collected through automotive service networks, distributors, industrial waste channels, and specialized recycling companies. This creates a circular material system that reduces the requirement for entirely new lead production.

Lead recovery requires controlled processing because lead and sulfuric acid present environmental and occupational hazards. Japanese recycling operators therefore require appropriate collection, transportation, treatment, and processing procedures.

The recycling value of lead also influences aftermarket economics. A used automotive battery has residual material value, helping support collection networks. Recycling efficiency is particularly important for manufacturers seeking to maintain material availability while reducing environmental impacts.

Patent & Innovation Landscape Innovation in Japanese lead-acid batteries focuses on electrode formulation, grid design, separator technology, charging behavior, corrosion resistance, cycle life, and manufacturing consistency. GS Yuasa and Furukawa Battery have developed technologies intended to improve performance under modern automotive and industrial operating conditions.

Carbon additives and advanced negative-electrode formulations are receiving attention because modern vehicles increasingly operate under partial-state-of-charge conditions. Traditional lead-acid batteries can experience accelerated degradation under repeated shallow cycling, while improved formulations can increase acceptance of regenerative braking energy.

AGM and EFB technologies also represent significant innovation areas. Manufacturers continue to optimize separators, electrolyte distribution, plate structures, and thermal performance to improve battery life without substantially increasing physical dimensions.

Recent Technology Trends During 2024 and 2025, lead-acid battery development increasingly focused on improved cycle performance and compatibility with vehicles containing start-stop and regenerative-braking systems. EFB and AGM technologies benefited from these requirements.

Digital battery monitoring is another important trend. Sensors can measure voltage, temperature, impedance, state of charge, and other operating parameters. In large battery banks, continuous monitoring can identify weak cells before they cause a system-level failure.

Industrial users are also increasingly comparing battery replacement schedules using condition-based monitoring. Instead of replacing an entire battery bank solely according to a fixed calendar, operators can identify deteriorating units and plan maintenance around measured performance.

Market Dynamics Driver: Backup Power Reliability Japan’s disaster exposure and dependence on continuous electricity make backup power strategically important. Hospitals, telecom facilities, factories, railways, data centers, and financial infrastructure cannot tolerate prolonged outages. Lead-acid batteries provide proven short-duration backup capability at comparatively low acquisition costs.

Challenge: Lithium-Ion Substitution Lithium-ion technology is increasingly competitive in applications requiring high energy density, frequent cycling, rapid charging, and reduced maintenance. This creates pressure on lead-acid suppliers, particularly in forklifts, renewable storage, and some new data-center projects. Lead-acid manufacturers must therefore compete through cost, reliability, recycling, and application-specific performance.

Trend: Advanced Lead-Acid Chemistry AGM, EFB, carbon-enhanced electrodes, and improved plate designs are extending the performance range of lead-acid technology. These developments are particularly important for automotive start-stop applications and industrial systems experiencing more frequent cycling.

Regulatory Framework Japan regulates lead-acid batteries through environmental, waste-management, chemical-handling, and electrical-safety requirements. The Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act establishes important requirements for waste handling, while industrial operators must manage spent batteries through appropriate collection and recycling channels.

Lead is classified as a substance requiring careful environmental and occupational management. Battery manufacturing and recycling facilities therefore require controlled processes for lead handling, emissions management, wastewater treatment, and worker protection.

Automotive batteries are also connected with vehicle maintenance and recycling systems. Manufacturers, distributors, and service operators participate in collection arrangements that help recover spent batteries and reduce uncontrolled disposal.

Industrial battery installations must also satisfy electrical and fire-safety requirements according to the facility and system configuration. UPS, emergency-power, railway, and telecommunications installations can have additional engineering specifications based on the criticality of the application.

Segment Analysis Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries Conventional flooded batteries remain widely used in automotive starting applications, industrial vehicles, and selected stationary systems because they offer low acquisition costs and established servicing practices. Automotive units commonly cost approximately ¥8,000–¥20,000, while larger industrial batteries can cost substantially more. Their main limitations include electrolyte maintenance, gas generation, water loss, and lower cycling performance compared with advanced sealed designs. They remain attractive where the battery experiences conventional starting duty rather than frequent deep cycling.

AGM Batteries AGM batteries use glass-mat separators to immobilize electrolyte and provide strong vibration resistance, improved cycling, and reduced maintenance. They are particularly relevant to premium vehicles, start-stop systems, emergency equipment, and specialized industrial applications. Prices can reach approximately ¥15,000–¥40,000 for automotive units, depending on capacity and brand. Japanese automotive manufacturers increasingly specify AGM where electrical loads and cycling requirements exceed the capability of standard flooded batteries.

EFB Batteries EFB batteries sit between conventional flooded and AGM technologies in terms of performance and cost. They are suitable for vehicles with moderate start-stop requirements and higher cycling demand. Typical automotive prices range from approximately ¥10,000–¥30,000. The segment benefits from Japan’s large passenger-vehicle population and growing electrical loads. EFB technology provides manufacturers with a cost-effective way to improve cycling performance without moving entirely to AGM.

VRLA Stationary Batteries Valve-regulated lead-acid batteries are extensively used in UPS, telecommunications, emergency lighting, control systems, and industrial backup applications. Their sealed construction reduces routine electrolyte maintenance and makes them suitable for controlled indoor installations. Individual batteries can range from several thousand yen to tens of thousands of yen, while complete battery strings can reach ¥500,000–¥5 million. Tokyo data centers, Osaka hospitals, railway facilities, and telecommunications sites represent important demand centers.

Motive-Power Batteries Traction batteries power forklifts, warehouse vehicles, pallet trucks, and industrial cleaning machines. Typical systems can cost ¥200,000–¥800,000 depending on capacity and voltage. Lead-acid remains competitive where equipment operates one shift and charging can occur during extended breaks. Multi-shift logistics operations increasingly consider lithium-ion alternatives because rapid opportunity charging can reduce battery-swapping requirements.

Industrial UPS Batteries UPS batteries support factories, offices, financial institutions, hospitals, telecommunications systems, and data centers. Lead-acid remains attractive for short-duration backup because it can provide high current quickly and has established maintenance infrastructure. Battery-bank costs can reach several million yen for large systems. Replacement cycles commonly depend on operating temperature, discharge frequency, manufacturer specifications, and maintenance results rather than simply elapsed calendar years.

Automotive Replacement Batteries The replacement aftermarket represents a recurring revenue stream because batteries are consumable components. Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Suzuki, and other vehicle brands generate demand through dealerships and service networks. Replacement intervals can commonly fall within approximately 3–5 years, although actual life varies significantly. Japanese drivers increasingly use vehicles equipped with start-stop systems and advanced electronics, increasing demand for EFB and AGM products in compatible applications.

Renewable-Energy Storage Lead-acid batteries can be used for small-scale solar backup, telecommunications, remote equipment, and emergency energy systems, although lithium-ion has captured much of the newer high-cycle storage market. Lead-acid remains relevant where low initial cost and established recycling are priorities. Rural installations, backup systems, and facilities requiring limited daily cycling can still support demand.

Railway and Infrastructure Batteries Railway networks require batteries for signaling, emergency lighting, communication systems, control equipment, and station infrastructure. Companies such as JR East, JR Central, and JR West operate extensive infrastructure across Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Reliability requirements are exceptionally high because battery failure can affect safety-critical systems. Procurement therefore emphasizes long service life, predictable discharge performance, inspection procedures, and supplier support rather than minimum acquisition price.

Competitive Landscape GS Yuasa is one of the most important Japanese battery manufacturers, with capabilities spanning automotive, industrial, motorcycle, telecommunications, and specialty applications. Furukawa Battery is another established participant, particularly in automotive and industrial batteries. Panasonic has historically maintained battery expertise, while other electrical and automotive suppliers participate through distribution, integration, and aftermarket channels.

Competition is increasingly based on application engineering rather than lead-acid chemistry alone. Automotive customers require EFB and AGM solutions, data centers require high-reliability VRLA systems, and warehouses evaluate motive-power batteries according to charging time and utilization. This specialization allows suppliers to maintain lead-acid demand despite increasing competition from lithium-ion.

Pricing and Procurement Trends Automotive lead-acid batteries generally occupy the ¥8,000–¥25,000 range, while premium AGM products can exceed ¥30,000 depending on vehicle and capacity. Industrial stationary batteries can cost from approximately ¥20,000 per unit to several hundred thousand yen for large specialized units. Complete backup systems can reach several million yen.

Procurement increasingly considers total lifecycle cost, including charging efficiency, replacement frequency, maintenance, recycling, installation, and downtime risk. During 2024 and 2025, industrial customers increasingly requested battery-monitoring capabilities and documented service-life expectations alongside conventional capacity specifications.

Local Industry Friction Points Japan’s lead-acid battery industry faces a distinctive challenge from limited space in urban facilities. Tokyo and Osaka data centers, hospitals, telecommunications rooms, and commercial buildings often have constrained equipment areas, making battery footprint and ventilation requirements important. Lead-acid systems are heavier and physically larger than lithium-ion alternatives for equivalent stored energy, which can increase floor-loading and installation requirements.

Labor availability is another practical concern. Maintaining large battery installations requires trained technicians capable of inspection, testing, replacement, and safe handling. As Japan’s industrial workforce ages, battery-monitoring systems and longer-life designs can reduce the frequency of manual inspection.

Industry Opportunities The strongest opportunities are emerging in automotive replacement batteries, data-center UPS systems, telecommunications backup, railway infrastructure, industrial emergency power, and advanced EFB and AGM applications. Data-center investment around Tokyo and Osaka creates demand for reliable backup systems, while vehicle electrification changes the automotive mix without eliminating the need for 12-volt auxiliary batteries.

In 2024 and 2025, advanced lead-acid technologies gained importance in applications requiring greater cycling capability. By 2026, suppliers with strong recycling networks, battery-monitoring capabilities, specialized industrial engineering, and reliable replacement support are better positioned to defend lead-acid applications against lithium-ion substitution.

Japan Hydraulic Equipment Market Japan’s hydraulic equipment market is deeply embedded in construction machinery, factory automation, machine tools, material handling, agricultural equipment, marine systems, steel production, plastic processing, and industrial machinery. Hydraulic pumps, motors, valves, cylinders, filters, accumulators, power units, hoses, fittings, and complete hydraulic systems are supplied by companies such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Nabtesco, KYB, Yuken Kogyo, Daikin Industries, Nachi-Fujikoshi, Shimadzu Corporation, and Komatsu. Manufacturing centers in Aichi, Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Shizuoka, and Tochigi support demand from automotive, machinery, construction, and industrial customers, while ports including Nagoya, Yokohama, Kobe, and Osaka facilitate equipment and component movement. A compact hydraulic valve or pump can cost approximately ¥20,000–¥150,000, industrial cylinders commonly range from ¥50,000 to ¥500,000, and customized hydraulic power units can exceed ¥1 million. The market is characterized by high reliability requirements, long equipment life, strong aftermarket demand, and increasing integration of hydraulics with electronic controls.

Japan’s hydraulic industry differs from many equipment markets because hydraulic systems remain critical even as manufacturers introduce electric actuators and servo technologies. Construction equipment, heavy presses, injection molding machines, cranes, agricultural machinery, and specialized industrial systems continue to require high force density that hydraulics can provide efficiently. Komatsu, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Kubota, Yanmar, Toyota Industries, FANUC, Mitsubishi Electric, and other industrial companies create interconnected demand. During 2024 and 2025, equipment manufacturers increasingly focused on electro-hydraulic control, variable-displacement pumps, energy recovery, condition monitoring, and hybrid architectures. The main local friction point is the shortage of skilled hydraulic technicians capable of diagnosing contamination, pressure instability, leakage, valve response, and pump deterioration in aging machinery, particularly as experienced maintenance personnel approach retirement.

Industry Ecosystem Analysis Japan’s hydraulic ecosystem begins with steel, cast iron, aluminum, seals, precision-machined components, bearings, hydraulic fluids, electronic sensors, and control components before moving into pumps, valves, cylinders, motors, power units, and complete machinery. Companies such as Yuken Kogyo, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, KYB, Nabtesco, Nachi-Fujikoshi, and Daikin Industries contribute specialized hydraulic technologies, while machinery manufacturers integrate these components into excavators, presses, machine tools, injection molding systems, and production lines.

A typical Japanese industrial hydraulic system can contain dozens of components. A medium machine may include one or more pumps, several valves, multiple cylinders or hydraulic motors, accumulators, filters, pressure sensors, hoses, and control electronics. The failure of a low-cost component such as a seal or filter can stop a machine worth tens or hundreds of millions of yen, making component quality and preventive maintenance economically significant.

The automotive sector creates substantial demand through stamping presses, die-casting equipment, production machinery, material handling, and assembly systems. Aichi and Tochigi are important automotive manufacturing locations, while Osaka and Shizuoka have extensive machinery and component production. Construction machinery adds another major demand stream through excavators, loaders, cranes, and road-building equipment.

Construction Machinery Applications Construction equipment is one of Japan’s most important hydraulic applications. Excavators use hydraulic pumps, valves, cylinders, and motors to control boom, arm, bucket, swing, and travel functions. Komatsu, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Kubota, and other manufacturers depend on hydraulic systems for high-force operations under variable loads.

A medium excavator can contain several hydraulic cylinders and multiple hydraulic control circuits. The main pump can represent a significant portion of the machine’s powertrain, making pump efficiency and flow control important to fuel consumption. Hydraulic components must also tolerate vibration, dust, temperature changes, shock loading, and contaminated work environments.

Japan’s aging infrastructure provides continuing demand for construction machinery used in road repair, bridge maintenance, tunnels, water infrastructure, and disaster recovery. After earthquakes, typhoons, landslides, and flooding, hydraulic excavators and specialized machinery are required for debris removal and infrastructure restoration. This creates replacement and aftermarket demand even when new construction activity fluctuates.

Factory Automation and Machine Tools Hydraulics remain important in machine tools, presses, clamping systems, forming equipment, and automated production machinery. Japanese manufacturers such as DMG MORI, Okuma, Mazak, Fanuc, and Mitsubishi Electric operate within an ecosystem where hydraulic systems increasingly coexist with electric servo systems.

Hydraulic clamping can provide extremely high force within a compact space, making it useful for metalworking and forming applications. A hydraulic system generating pressures of approximately 10–30 MPa can deliver substantial force through relatively compact cylinders. Higher-pressure specialized systems can exceed these levels depending on application.

During 2024 and 2025, machine-tool manufacturers increasingly combined hydraulic components with electronic sensors and digital controllers. Pressure, temperature, flow, and vibration can be monitored continuously, allowing operators to identify leakage, pump wear, or abnormal loading before a machine failure occurs.

Injection Molding Applications Plastic injection molding machines use hydraulic systems for clamping, injection, and auxiliary movements, although all-electric machines have gained significant market share. Japanese manufacturers such as Fanuc, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, JSW, and Toshiba Machine have contributed to both hydraulic and electric molding technologies.

Hydraulic molding machines remain attractive for applications requiring high clamping force and flexible operation. However, electric machines can offer improved energy efficiency, repeatability, and cleaner operation. This competitive pressure is encouraging hydraulic suppliers to improve pump efficiency and adopt servo-hydraulic architectures.

Servo-hydraulic systems combine hydraulic force density with variable-speed electric motor control. Instead of running a hydraulic pump continuously at a fixed speed, the motor can adjust according to actual machine demand. This reduces unnecessary energy consumption and can improve process control.

Agricultural Hydraulic Equipment Agricultural machinery uses hydraulics for lifting, steering, transmission control, implements, and attachment operation. Kubota, Yanmar, Iseki, and other Japanese manufacturers supply tractors and agricultural machinery throughout Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kyushu, and other farming areas.

Hydraulic systems are particularly useful for tractors because one power source can operate multiple functions. A tractor may use hydraulic pressure for three-point hitch systems, loaders, steering, and implements. Compact tractors commonly require smaller pumps and cylinders, while larger agricultural machinery uses higher-flow systems.

Japan’s aging farming population and labor shortages are increasing interest in automated and higher-productivity agricultural machinery. Precision hydraulic control can support autonomous implements, automated steering, and variable-rate operations. During 2024 and 2025, machinery manufacturers increasingly combined hydraulic components with GPS, sensors, electronic controllers, and automation.

Marine and Port Equipment Hydraulics remain important in ship steering, deck machinery, cranes, winches, hatch systems, and marine handling equipment. Ports such as Yokohama, Kobe, Nagoya, and Osaka operate extensive cargo-handling infrastructure where hydraulic systems provide high force and compact installation.

Marine hydraulic components must withstand saltwater exposure, humidity, vibration, and long operating periods. Corrosion-resistant materials, specialized coatings, seals, and hydraulic fluids are therefore important. A hydraulic failure on a port crane can interrupt cargo handling and create significant economic losses, making preventive maintenance critical.

Japanese shipbuilders and marine-equipment companies also require hydraulic systems for specialized vessels. Offshore support equipment, research vessels, fishing vessels, and coastal infrastructure can require customized cylinders, valves, and power units.

Hydraulic Power Units Hydraulic power units combine pumps, motors, reservoirs, filters, valves, and controls into a centralized package. They are widely used in presses, machine tools, material-handling equipment, injection molding machines, construction machinery, and industrial automation.

Small power units may cost approximately ¥100,000–¥300,000, while customized industrial systems can exceed ¥1–5 million depending on flow, pressure, motor size, filtration, controls, and reservoir capacity. Japanese customers often require compact designs because factory floor space is expensive.

Energy efficiency is increasingly influencing power-unit design. Variable-speed pump drives can reduce power consumption when the hydraulic system operates below maximum demand. Heat generation can also be reduced, lowering the cooling requirement and potentially extending hydraulic-fluid life.

Patent & Innovation Landscape Japanese hydraulic innovation focuses on high-pressure components, variable-displacement pumps, electro-hydraulic valves, compact cylinders, low-leakage seals, energy recovery, noise reduction, and digital control. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Yuken Kogyo, KYB, Nabtesco, Nachi-Fujikoshi, and Daikin Industries maintain technological capabilities across different hydraulic applications.

Electro-hydraulic control is particularly important because it allows electronic controllers to regulate hydraulic pressure and flow with greater precision. Sensors provide feedback on pressure, position, temperature, and flow, while electronic valves adjust the hydraulic circuit according to machine requirements.

Energy recovery is another innovation area. Excavators and lifting machinery can recover energy during boom lowering, swing deceleration, or other load-reduction phases