<p>Integrating a battery-type electrode with a capacitive-type electrode in a hybrid configuration has become an attractive strategy to improve the device’s overall energy density without compromising power density. The hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) based on metal ions, such as Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺, demands an anhydrous environment for its fabrication. Moreover, the use of non-aqueous electrolytes for their operation can significantly increase fabrication costs and safety risks. To overcome these key issues, an eco-friendly HSC is fabricated using a multivalent Zn with a high specific capacity and a low redox potential (− 0.76&#xa0;V <i>vs</i>. SHE) as the anode in an aqueous medium. The N-doped porous activated carbon (N-ACMZ-700) derived from the seeds of Manilkara zapota, a natural biomass, and pyrolyzed at 700&#xa0;°C, is used as a cathode material. The reversible ion adsorption/desorption at the N-ACMZ-700 cathode and Zn²⁺ stripping/plating at the Zn-anode enable the Zn//N-ACMZ-700 hybrid capacitor to deliver a high specific capacitance of 356&#xa0;F g^− 1 at 0.1&#xa0;A g^− 1. Benefiting from the synergistic merits of excellent structural features of N-ACMZ-700 cathode material and metallic Zn-anode, resulting Zn//N-ACMZ-700 HSC shows an excellent energy storage performance, including high energy density of 178 Wh kg^− 1 @ 0.1&#xa0;A g^− 1, a maximum power density of 9.44&#xa0;kW kg^− 1, and outstanding cycling stability up to 10,000 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles with ~ 90% of initial capacity retention. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results demonstrate that the N-ACMZ-700-based Zinc-HSC exhibits low internal resistance, rapid charge-transfer kinetics, and efficient ion diffusion pathways, which collectively contribute to its high-power capability and stable electrochemical performance.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>