We all aware of the level of pollution cover up the environment as scrap, fossil fuel is responsible for that some extent. The era of fossil fuel is about to end soon because of the limitation of fossil fuel. However, electric vehicles have replaced the conventional internal combustion engines. This change is being seen in every sector nowadays.
As a supplier of both internal combustion and electric powered lifting equipment, we often receive questions about which powered lift equipment is the best to utilize in various applications. For the last 30 years, battery-powered electric equipment has been steadily replacing internal combustion power as the preferred choice for industrial forklift fleets. Battery-powered forklifts positively impact every aspect of a business by improving on several factors: savings, sustainability, safety, productivity and performance.
In the material handling sector, 2nd generation lithium forklifts have now successfully inducted to meet the industrial requirement. But, this move is not enough to meet future environmental challenges. Most of the electric vehicles are using lithium-ion batteries.
But that could be about to change. Improved lithium-ion batteries can now hold a charge for much longer, allowing operators to complete an entire day’s work before recharging is required. This eliminates one of the biggest disadvantages electric forklifts had over their diesel and gas-powered cousins, making them more appealing for many operators.
So, is now the time to embrace electric forklift trucks in your operation? In this blog, we are going to take a closer look at electric forklift technology and the benefits it brings compared to both gas and diesel powered machines. This should help you decide if electric forklifts are the right choice for your operation.
When investing in new equipment for your business, it is a good idea to consider the environmental impact of your investment first. When it comes to forklifts, electricity generates less Co2 emissions than any other type of power unit. So, you may think it’s a no-brainer to go down the battery powered forklift route.
But when choosing a forklift there are many other factors to consider which are equally important. There is little point choosing an electric forklift for its environmental credentials only to find it is wholly unsuitable for the job at hand or will spend most of the working day tied to its charging station.
That’s why you should take the time to understand the benefits and limitations of electric forklift technology as it currently stands. This will help you make the right choice for your operation now.
To summarise why Lithium ion electric forklift trucks are becoming more desirable:
● Reduced Operating Costs
● Better Motors
● Good for the environment.
● Quieter, Safer Operation.
● Reduced Maintenance
5 electric Forklift Myths
While there are many benefits to using electric forklifts, many operators still shy away from purchasing them due to outdated beliefs. However, electric forklift technology has advanced considerably over the past three or four years. To show you how, we will look at a few misconceptions which may have previously prevented you from investing in the technology.
“Electric forklifts are too slow.”
“The battery doesn’t produce enough power for my application.”
“Electric forklifts are limited by lift capacity.”
“Electric forklift technology is too new.”
“Electric forklifts won’t work in our environment.”
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Post COVID-19, the recovery of the manufacturing industry will be slower than the logistics industry. The growth in logistics – warehousing and distribution centres – already fuelled by the boom in e-commerce, has been the main reason for the high demand globally for forklift trucks. This is likely to be accelerated after 2020, as we predict the pandemic will bring about a permanent change in consumer habits, with more people using online shopping. The recovery rates of different forklift classes will be varied. The market for Class 2 & 3 trucks will be more affected in 2020, but the recovery will be fast. The overall trend for electrification will not be affected. According to our model, the replacement rate of lithium-ion batteries for lead-acid batteries has not changed. Shortage of labour and the trend towards increased automation have also been drivers in the lift-truck market.
The predicted shift away from diesel powered vehicles to electric arises from the fact that the proliferation of large distribution warehouses in recent years are indoor environments and have a much higher requirement for zero noise and low emissions. Electric trucks are well-suited to such environments and not only for reasons of pollution. These trucks typically only cover short distances, meaning their range is not an issue in, say, an 8-hour shift. In the future the electric truck market may be further boosted by the growing trend towards e-commerce micro-fulfilment, where companies build tiny warehouses in residential areas to allow same-day delivery or delivery in specific hour slots. These establishments need to be quiet as they are near domestic housing.
Lead-acid batteries have been long held to be a cost-effective battery chemistry and have dominated the electric forklift truck market. The technology is reliable, and supply is secure. However, Li-ion batteries have major advantages over lead-acid, outlined in the next section. We predict that the fast development of Li-ion battery technology and the expansion in production will mean that by 2028 electric vehicles, predominantly powered by Li-ion batteries will occupy 70% of the forklift truck market (See Fig.2). This will be a rise from 63% in 2019. But the emphasis in 2028 will be on Li-ion power sources, which will occupy almost 50% of the total truck market. Class 3 trucks will account for 43% of total shipments, and over 75% of them will be lithium-ion battery forklifts. Mainstream forklift suppliers worldwide have already launched lithium-ion battery models. And there will also be new entrants into this market, such as BYD, who focus only on Li-ion battery-powered forklifts and manufactured over 30,000 units in 2019.
A: It depends on many factors and we work closely with our dealers and end customers to find the best solution for different application needs. However, in general, electric lift trucks with lead acid batteries are still often considered the best option for many indoor logistics operations.
For example, in busy logistics applications will benefit from efficiency and performance comparable to LPG/diesel alternatives and a potentially lower cost of ownership where savings can be made with just one lift truck. These may be multishift operations so forklift batteries can be exchanged easily between shifts without regular opportunity charges – we offer several battery exchange options for make this quick and simple.
However, these applications need the space for a charging room and to avoid downtime, must have strict processes in place to make sure batteries are charged to keep operations running. They also need a weekly maintenance and equalisation schedule.
A: Lithium-ion is becoming a popular power option for Hyster® electric lift trucks. It is an increasingly common choice in the food industry, for example, where operations are mostly indoors and there is a priority to reduce contamination. Lithium-ion has no acid which could spill and no fumes – hydrogen and other gases can be produced by lead acid, which are unwelcome in clean food production and storage areas.
Lithium-ion batteries do not need the high levels of maintenance that their lead acid counterparts require, and they allow for opportunity charging during planned breaks and lunch time. This ‘top up’ approach can simplify operations as you only need one battery, not two. Plus, over a period of years, lithium-ion may work out cheaper in the right application, with lower total battery costs.
However, there are infrastructure considerations when it comes to charging, so lithium-ion won’t be the best choice for everybody.
The answer is almost certainly yes. The disadvantages of the technology are becoming less relevant, while the environmental benefits speak for themselves. Despite this, as the technology currently stands, they are still not suitable for every application. Operators should carefully consider their operating requirements before deciding.
The growing popularity of electric forklifts is hard to ignore. Many of our customers have recently taken the first step away from diesel and gas by investing in a Lithium forklift battery to see how it works in their company.
If you're not sure which forklift battery is right for you, Please click on this link：HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FORKLIFT BATTERY FOR YOUR MATERIAL HANDLING INDUSTRY
For more information about Lithium forklift Batteries, please check out our 950+ Models Of Lithium-ion Batteries For Nearly Every Make And Model Of Electric Industrial Trucks
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