The electric forklift is generally the best option for indoor applications within warehouses and manufacturing environments. This is mainly due to 2 reasons with the first being that they create zero emissions. This is an extremely important factor to take into account for indoor work places. Out of the Internal Combustion or IC units, only the propane-fueled models are able to be utilized inside and these units still require really good ventilation. Diesel and gas powered units are not able to be utilized inside under any circumstances.
Fuel cost is the other primary benefit of electric lift trucks. These models have less cost per hour compared to any of the other IC or internal combustion units. Among the main disadvantages to using the electric forklifts is their higher initial cost. Brand new electric forklifts could vary from 20 percent to 40% more compared to IC units which are rated the same.
Electric lift trucks however, provide numerous advantages like quiet operations, that could be a big plus for indoor settings. Additionally, no fuel storage needs mean no room has to be allotted for tanks of flammable and dangerous fuels. As electric lift trucks have less moving components compared to IC units, and they are normally utilized within cleaner environments and inside, they tend to have a longer overall lifespan.
The battery downtime is the biggest downside of an electric forklift. These models run with heavy, big, lead-acid batteries, like those found inside your car. These batteries are extremely powerful and very big. Normally, batteries offer enough power for one standard 8-hour shift, and this means 5 or 6 hours of continuous use.
Charging a lift truck battery would take approximately 8 hours. An additional 8 hours of cooling time is needed before it can be used after the charging process is completed. Because of this long process of slow charging speed and extra cooling time, if you need forklifts for 2 or 3 shift operations, you must purchase extra batteries so you can always be charging the next battery. These extra batteries will add about $1000 to $2000 to buy.
There are several new fast charge electric lift trucks available on the market. These specialized batteries have changed the electric forklift industry. Their charging can be done during the course of lunch and coffee breaks, enabling them to get back to work a lot sooner.