A battery replacement system for an industrial truck has an electrical propulsion drive and at least one battery compartment for holding a battery block. The battery block can be moved essentially in a horizontal direction into the battery compartment or out of the battery compartment. An external holding apparatus independent of the industrial truck is provided for the battery block. The industrial truck can be maneuvered over the holding apparatus such that the holding apparatus is positioned beneath the battery compartment. The battery block located within the battery compartment can be lifted slightly by the holding apparatus. The force required to lift the battery block can be produced by the electrical propulsion drive.