The Linde X35 forklift from KION Group AG - electric truck built for heavy-duty shifts

Reviewed: ad hoc news B2B & Pro desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-27, 19:40. Details in the imprint.

The Linde X35 forklift stands under a drizzle on a construction yard, red mast slick with rain, while its electric drive nudges a pallet of concrete blocks up with quiet confidence. In the cab the driver feels less vibration than in an old diesel, but the truck still looks and behaves like a classic Linde workhorse.

What the X35 is built for

The Linde X35 is part of Linde Material Handling’s X-series, designed to replace internal combustion trucks in demanding outdoor use with electric power around 3.5 tons capacity. The chassis, mast and axles match the H35 diesel line, but the heart is a lithium-ion battery and compact electric motors.

Product manager Markus Weinberger describes the X-series as “electric trucks for diesel environments”, and the X35 is the entry point in that concept. It targets fleets that want lower emissions and less noise without sacrificing familiar handling and robustness in loading yards, production sites or building-materials depots.

Battery, range and charging

The X35 can be configured with Linde’s lithium-ion batteries sized for multi-shift work, supported by fast-charging systems that top up energy in short breaks. Linde highlights that in typical duty cycles an X35 can cover a similar workload as a diesel H35, but with higher energy efficiency and no local exhaust gases.

In practice that means a driver can plug the truck in during lunch, hear only the faint whirr of cooling fans, and go back out for another heavy afternoon session. Linde specifies that the truck maintains performance even as the battery charge level drops, so lift and drive speeds stay consistent across the shift.

Operator comfort and control

The X35’s cab follows Linde’s established ergonomic layout with twin levers or joysticks for mast control, adjustable seat and pedal arrangement, and good all-round visibility from the driver’s position. Compared with older diesel models, operators notice less engine vibration and a quieter soundscape during lifting and driving.

On a wet yard, the steering feels familiar and deliberately weighted, so seasoned Linde drivers can swap in without retraining. Linde’s assistance systems, including traction control and load handling aids, are available to help reduce tyre slip and support stable, safe movements when stacking at height.

Digital integration and service

KION Group AG positions the X35 as part of a connected fleet, with Linde offering fleet management tools that monitor utilisation, battery status and access control. For logistics managers, that means combining the truck’s on-site performance data with wider intralogistics analytics, especially when paired with warehouse trucks and automated systems from other KION brands.

Service is handled through Linde’s European dealer network, which is used to supporting heavy-duty fleets. The company stresses that major structural components on the X35 mirror its combustion siblings, so technicians familiar with Linde trucks can maintain the electric versions with shared spare parts and procedures.

Where it fits in KION’s portfolio

The X35 occupies a strategic slot in KION Group AG’s Industrial Trucks & Services segment, bridging classic forklifts and the push toward lower-emission equipment. It complements warehouse products and automation solutions, allowing KION to offer a consistent brand experience from loading bay to high-bay warehouse.

CEO Rob Smith has highlighted in recent communications that the group’s focus is on profitable growth in intralogistics, with industrial trucks like the Linde X-series feeding demand from construction, manufacturing and distribution customers. For investors, such concrete models often matter more than abstract strategy slides.

Stock context in brief

All told, the Linde X35 forklift underpins KION Group AG’s pitch as a supplier of robust, lower-emission material-handling equipment to European and global customers. KION Group AG shares (ISIN DE000KGX8881) trade on Xetra in Frankfurt, forming part of Germany’s MDAX index, with the company’s performance closely watched by institutional and retail investors.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.