Abstract: A loading vehicle operated by electric battery power includes a chassis, a loading bucket mounted at the front end of the chassis. The chassis also carries an electric traction motor, a battery box and a battery lifting device pivotally mounted to the rear of the chassis and movable relative to the chassis by power. The battery box is supported by the chasis and is removable therefrom by power actuation of the battery lifting device. The battery lifting device has a lifting frame forming a part thereof which projects rearwardly from the chassis so as to provide a seat for the battery box, the lifting frame being pivotally movable relative to the chassis by application of the power to lift the battery box relative to the chassis. The battery box is then placed on a pallet and a fresh battery box is arranged on the battery lifting device and moved in place on the chassis.