Electric Battery powered forklifts

Electric forklifts are becoming increasingly popular with businesses who are looking for smart ways to increase warehousing capacity, staff health and safety and reduce their environmental impact. And the advancement of technology has paved the way for electric vehicles that are capable of keeping up with many of the diesel and LPG forklifts that have dominated the industry for so long.

Battery powered means no emissions and no harmful fumes, making them the ideal choice for indoor use. No exhaust also means electric forklifts are much quieter than their Diesel-powered competition. Noise can be an annoyance but also poses a safety concern for pedestrians on your site and drivers of other vehicles.

The lack of moving parts and engine fluids also means less opportunity for damage and a much cleaner, easier to operate machine. Generally, there will be longer periods needed between regular services and maintenance so less down time and overall cost to your business. 

As with everything there is often a tradeoff and the main drawback to electric powered forklifts is the limitations on the battery. Electric forklifts take a long time to recharge so businesses that require a machine to be in use for a full day may need to think carefully about this. If an electric forklift runs out of battery two-thirds of the way through a shift then it may take the rest of the day to recharge. The other main downside to battery powered forklifts is the initial cost to get set up. Although this is more than made up for in the long term with lower operating costs and fewer maintenance fees, it can be difficult to justify the cost especially if additional batteries are needed or your facility will need to be set up with charging stations or additional hoists and equipment for everyday checks. This is often where businesses will either choose to lease a forklift long term or look at other options such as LPG. 

The more powerful capabilities of diesel come at a price however and the diesel engine forklift is generally considered to be for outdoor use only. The noisier engine and exhaust fumes can cause a health and safety risk to staff and pedestrians on the workplace. 

The larger size also means there are limitations on use in tight spaces and can be difficult to maneuver.  It is also important to make sure you have a regular service and maintenance schedule in place , with more moving parts there is more chance of damage and general wear and tear on your machine. This can mean that in the long term your operating costs may be higher over the lifetime of your machine. 

Although purchase price is generally much lower for LPG forklifts, and less regular servicing and maintenance requirements they can have higher long term costs with then need for annual winter servicing and unpredictable fuel prices. Overall LPG is more environmentally friendly than diesel, however these forklifts are still run on fossil fuels and do release carbon monoxide so use indoors does require proper ventilation.

The better value and performance also comes with a trade off as LPG powered forklifts tend to be larger and less maneuverable with a larger turning radius and longer stopping distances.  The space taken up by the LPG tank on the back also creates a rear visibility issue creating a possible health and safety issue in the workplace. 

Understanding the pros and cons of each type of forklift is a great start when deciding what type of equipment will fit best in your workplace. If you are still looking for the right solution The Independent Forklift Company can help you make the right decision. 

Our sales team can help provide you with independent unbiased advice on the material handling equipment you need for your operation. We also offer both long term forklift leasing options and short term rental solutions to keep your business running smoothly all year round.