Choosing the right battery for floor cleaning machines: why every chemistry still has its place

As battery technologies evolve and sustainability regulations tighten, the floor cleaning industry is facing a more complex question than ever: what is the right battery chemistry? According to Jimmy Au, Vice President of Products for Motive Applications at Discover Battery, the answer is not as straightforward as many might think. “There isn’t one straight answer. It really depends on how the equipment is used, where it’s used, and what the operator is trying to achieve.”

Why lead acid still dominates globally

Despite the rise of lithium, lead acid batteries continue to dominate floor care equipment worldwide.

Within lead acid batteries, there are three categories: 

• Flooded (wet): requires watering, equalization, and proper ventilation due to off-gassing.
• AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat): sealed, non spillable, maintenance-free.
• Gel: sealed, gelled, electrolyte, maintenance-free.

Lead acid remains widely used to proven performance, mature recycling infrastructure (95–99% recycling rates), and regulatory clarity under evolving sustainability legislation.“Five years ago, the focus was mostly on performance,” says Au. “Now sustainability, recyclability and producer responsibility are equally important.”

EU rules are changing the conversation

The EU Battery Regulation (EU20323/1542) is pushing the industry to look beyond productivity and consider sustainability. traceability, producer responsibility, and recycling efficiency.“The regulation brings sustainability and traceability to the forefront,” says Au. “That’s shifting attention back to proven chemistries with clear end of life pathways.”

He points out that transport, storage and fire safety requirements for lithium are increasingly stringent and can be country specific, adding cost and complexity. “With lithium, you’re dealing with hazardous goods classifications, storage limitations, and in some places dedicated containers or fenced areas,” he explains. “Lead acid is still dangerous goods, but not hazardous goods, storage demands are less intense.”

Why the market is moving away from flooded batteries

Globally, the market is moving from flooded batteries toward maintenance-free solutions. Flooded batteries require water topping, electrolyte handling, and ventilation due to off-gassing. In environments like hospitals, schools, or food processing facilities, this adds complexity and risk.

AGM, gel, and lithium eliminate water topping and reduce safety concerns, aligning with the broader industry trend toward hassle-free operation. “Everyone wants hassle free operation,” he adds. “Maintenance free batteries align with that.”

Not all “maintenance free” is equal: traction vs deep cycle

Many users assume that all sealed batteries are interchangeable. Au cautions against that. “A deep cycle battery is a generalist,” he explains. “A true traction battery is engineered for motive applications like scrubber driers: thicker, high density plates; optimized active materials; corrosion resistant alloys; robust cases for vibration and heat; and the cycling endurance needed for industrial duty.” In short: choose traction grade AGM or gel for floor cleaning machines. It’s built for the job.

AGM vs. Gel today: longer runtime, faster charging

In North America, flooded lead acid batteries were long the standard, as most battery manufacturers originally produced this format. In Europe, gel batteries became more dominant, driven by long standing local production and an early preference for maintenance free solutions. AGM technology emerged later, when Discover Battery was among the first to introduce traction grade AGM to North American OEMs.

Over the last two decades, traction grade AGM has evolved significantly. “In the same footprint, a modern traction AGM can deliver more runtime than gel,” says Au. “Charging efficiency can approach 90% with the right charger, and cycle life is now comparable to gel.”

Crucially, improvements help with a common real world behavior: partial state of charge (PSoC) operation, charging and using the machine without full cycles. “PSoC historically favored gel, but traction AGM today can handle it well,” Au adds. This has sustainability implications: “If you only need an hour and your battery gives you two, you’re cycling less deeply. That extends life and reduces replacements.”

Lithium’s place: compact design and fast charging, plus trade offs

Lithium remains compelling for:

• Faster charging / opportunity charging
• High energy in a compact, lighter package
• Machine design flexibility

But Au is candid about the trade offs: “With lithium, you add layers of complexity; hazardous goods logistics, storage rules, and after sales diagnostics that involve both the chemistry and the electronics (BMS).”

He observes a market shift between shows: “In 2022, lithium felt like the only answer. By 2024, the conversation was more balanced. People weighed performance against regulatory and operational realities. We even saw a rebound in AGM and gel adoption.”

His conclusion: “There isn’t just one straight answer.”

Practical advice for OEMs: design for choice

“Keep machines chemistry agnostic,” Au advises. “Choose a charger that supports multiple chemistries. Design the battery compartment to accommodate different footprints and runtimes. And plan for global rollouts, regulatory requirements vary by country.”

For operators and buyers, he recommends a pragmatic, use case approach:

• Duty cycles and shift patterns
• Safety and compliance requirements
• Charging behavior (full cycles vs opportunity charging) 
• Climate and storage conditions
• Total costs of ownership, including end-of-life

“It’s not about keyboard research only,” he adds. “A conversation about your goals and constraints leads to better decisions.”

Conclusion

The industry conversation has shifted from asking which battery is most powerful to asking which battery makes the most sense. Performance, sustainability, regulatory compliance, total cost of ownership, safety, and operational simplicity must all be weighed together. 

Visitors intrested in exploring the full spectrum of battery chemistries, and how to match them to their equipment and regional requirements, are invited to continue the conversation with Discover Battery at Interclean Amsterdam 2026.