By now you likely have heard of new lithium-ion technology as an option for powering forklift trucks. But has the information provided tangible ways adding this technology to your fleet could benefit your operation?
Your materials handling equipment plays a vital role in the efficiency and productivity of your operations. Whether you’re looking to reduce operational costs, improve sustainability, or enhance performance, here are nine reasons to consider upgrading to lithium-ion forklifts.
Energy Efficiency
Lithium-ion batteries offer superior energy efficiency compared to traditional lead-acid forklift batteries. They deliver more consistent power output throughout their charge cycle, ensuring your forklifts perform optimally for longer periods. This efficiency translates to reduced energy consumption and lower electricity bills. This makes lithium-ion powered trucks a cost-effective choice for businesses of all sizes.
A comparative estimation between the lifecycle and energy cost of Lithium-Ion vs lead-acid batteries:
| Battery type | Typical expected lifecycle | Cost of recharge over lifecycle |
| Lithium-ion | 10-year lifecycle | £3,000 |
| Lead acid | 5-year lifecycle | £20,000 |
It is estimated that the total cost of ownership can be reduced in a suitable application. The larger upfront cost of lithium-ion trucks can be covered within as little as 2-3 years in a multi-shift operation.
Quick Charging
One of the standout features of lithium-ion technology is its fast-charging capability. Lithium-ion batteries can fully charge from 100% discharge in 1-2 hours. Whereas, for lead acid batteries a standard charge time is 8 hours.
This rapid charging reduces downtime, enabling your forklifts to spend more time in operation and less time plugged in. Ultimately, this boosts business productivity.
Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries allow for constant opportunity charging. This means the battery does not need to be completely empty before you can recharge it. Charge times can fit more easily around your operational schedule as opposed to your schedule having to take lengthy charge times into consideration, providing you with extra flexibility.
Longer Lifespan
Lithium-ion batteries have a significantly longer lifespan than their lead-acid counterparts since they can handle more charge cycles.
At 80% discharge a lithium-ion battery can take around 2,500 cycles. This is around 40% more than lead acid batteries which can only take around 1,500. At 100% discharge the lithium-ion battery can take around 2,200 charge cycles, at 50% discharge around 4,000 and at 20% discharge almost 8,000.
This supports the argument for opportunity charging. With any battery, the greater the discharge the longer the life cycle, with lithium-ion batteries, negative impacts are vastly reduced.
The expected life cycle of a lithium-ion battery is 10-12 years, up to 3x longer than lead-acid counterparts. This means you’ll experience fewer replacements and reduced maintenance costs over the life of the equipment.
Low Maintenance
Gone are the days of regular battery maintenance tasks. Lithium-ion batteries are virtually maintenance-free, freeing up your team’s time to focus on core operations. This reduction in maintenance needs not only saves time but also reduces the risk of accidents and equipment failure.
Sustainability
Lithium-ion forklifts produce zero emissions. This makes them an eco-friendly option for businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries are more energy-efficient and can be recycled at the end of their lifecycle. This can help businesses to achieve their green initiatives and corporate responsibility goals.
Improved Performance
Lithium-ion batteries deliver consistent power, even as they approach the end of their charge. This means your forklifts will maintain high performance levels throughout the workday, reducing the risk of slowdowns. Whether you’re handling heavy loads or operating in demanding environments, lithium-ion forklifts provide the reliability and power you need.
Safety
Safety is a top concern in any warehouse or distribution centre. Lithium-ion batteries eliminate the risks associated with lead-acid batteries, such as acid spills and harmful fumes. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries include advanced safety features such as protection against overcharging and overheating. These features provide peace of mind for your team.
Cleaner operational environment
Cleanliness is an important benefit for those operating in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical or automotive manufacturing industries. Lithium-ion batteries eliminate the risk of spillage and pollution to the operating environment as they are sealed within their casing. In comparison, traditional lead acid batteries are unsealed to enable them to be topped up. This process can become messy if spillages occur.
Maximised Space
Lithium-ion batteries are more compact than traditional batteries, which can help maximise your warehouse space. With smaller battery compartments, forklifts can include more ergonomic features or additional storage, improving overall efficiency and operator comfort.
Are lithium-ion batteries suitable for my operation?
It can be tough to decipher whether lithium-ion batteries can promote efficiency within your operation. Typically, the decision includes delving into specific hours of operation and shift patterns. Common applications where they are most effective are intensive and high through-put operations where there are natural breaks in the shift for opportunistic charging.
Industries most likely to reap the benefits are food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, retail and logistics operations.
If you need expert guidance, contact us today.