The name above the door doesn’t change the problem
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK headquarters runs a busy warehouse operation. Parts moving in, vehicles going out, and daily handling demands that don’t ease off because the schedule is tight or the targets are ambitious.
Like many UK warehouses, they had reached the point where their existing forklift setup was quietly working against them. Ageing diesel and lead-acid equipment that no longer aligned with where the business was headed, operationally or environmentally. Rising fuel and maintenance costs were eating into margins, and the working environment could be cleaner and more efficient.
The name above the door might be one of the most recognised in the automotive world, but the challenge was the same one facing warehouse managers across the country: find a better solution, make the transition smooth, and don’t pay more than you need to.
What modern lithium technology delivers in a warehouse
GreenPower supplied a fleet of lithium electric counterbalance forklifts, and the results showed almost immediately.
Lithium battery technology means fast charging and consistent power throughout the shift, with none of the gradual performance drop that comes as lead-acid batteries run low. Zero emissions make the indoor working environment cleaner and healthier. Lower maintenance requirements mean fewer interruptions, fewer service callouts, and less unplanned downtime disrupting a busy operation.
For the operators working with these trucks every day, the difference is just as tangible. Quieter running, smoother operation, and a design that’s genuinely easier to use improves the working day in ways that matter, even if they don’t show up directly on a cost spreadsheet.
The full process was handled end to end: expert advice on specification, fast delivery from UK stock, and ongoing aftercare to make sure the move from traditional equipment landed without disruption.
What VW said about it
“The improvement in efficiency was immediate. The trucks are reliable, easy to operate, and have made a noticeable difference to how we manage the warehouse day to day.”
Immediate. That word matters in a warehouse where every hour of disrupted operation has a cost. Not a gradual improvement over weeks of bedding in, but a noticeable difference from day one.
“We needed a forklift solution that balanced performance with sustainability. The team understood exactly what we needed and delivered a solution that works.”
That second comment gets to something important. For a business of VW’s scale and profile, working with a supplier who listens carefully and advises honestly, rather than defaulting to the most expensive option or the easiest sell, is genuinely valuable.
What this says about the market
There’s a temptation to assume large, well-known businesses have access to an entirely different tier of supplier relationships, and that procurement at a major automotive headquarters operates in a world removed from the decisions a smaller business faces.
In practice, the fundamentals are identical. You need equipment that performs. You need a supplier who understands your operation. You need honest advice, competitive pricing, and support that continues after the delivery truck has left.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK found all of that with GreenPower. The same things that make GreenPower the right choice for a growing manufacturing business make it the right choice for one of the biggest names in the automotive industry. Good advice and the right equipment at the right price doesn’t have a minimum order quantity.
Looking to upgrade your warehouse forklift fleet?
Whether you’re running one truck or a full fleet, replacing diesel or lead-acid equipment with modern lithium electric forklifts is one of the most effective steps you can take to reduce costs, cut emissions, and improve day-to-day efficiency.
GreenPower supplies lithium electric forklifts across the UK, with flexible options to buy, lease, or contract hire, and stock ready to move quickly. Get in touch with the team today to find out what the right solution looks like for your operation.
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FAQ's
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Can lithium electric forklifts handle a high-throughput warehouse operation?
Yes. Lithium batteries deliver consistent power throughout the shift and charge quickly, so they suit busy, high-throughput sites without the gradual performance drop seen with lead-acid batteries. They also support opportunity charging during breaks, which keeps trucks working across multiple shifts. For demanding operations like Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, this means reliable handling without downtime for battery swaps.
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How disruptive is switching from diesel or lead-acid forklifts to lithium?
Far less than most businesses expect. The transition is managed end to end, from expert advice on the right specification through to fast delivery from UK stock and ongoing aftercare. Because the new trucks arrive ready to work and are easy to operate, most sites see a noticeable improvement almost immediately rather than a long bedding-in period.
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Is lithium worth it for a smaller operation, or only for large businesses like VW?
The benefits apply at any scale. Lower running costs, reduced maintenance, zero emissions, and a cleaner working environment matter just as much for a single truck as for a full fleet. The same honest advice, competitive pricing, and after-sales support are available whether you are replacing one forklift or many, there is no minimum order quantity.
