A lifting vehicle having two axles with respective differentials; a constant-velocity, universal joint drive connecting the differentials; a telescopic arm; and a hydraulic circuit powered by a hydraulic pump to operate the telescopic arm. The vehicle also has, housed in a first side compartment between the axles, an internal combustion engine, a reversible electric machine, the hydraulic pump, and a disconnectable drive for selectively disconnecting the internal combustion engine from the reversible electric machine and hydraulic pump; the reversible electric machine driving the hydraulic pump when the internal combustion engine is disconnected from the disconnectable drive; and a battery being housed in a second side compartment, on the opposite side of the constant-velocity, universal joint drive to the first side compartment, being connected for charging to the reversible electric machine, and being connected to an electric motor connected to the battery and the constant-velocity, universal joint drive in a third compartment beneath the telescopic arm.