Generally, electric lift trucks are the best option for indoor use in warehouses and manufacturing applications for 2 main reasons: First off they produce zero emissions. This is a really essential factor to consider for indoor work places. Among the IC or internal combustion units, just the propane-fueled models can be utilized inside and these units still require really good ventilation. Diesel and gas powered models could not be used indoors under any circumstances.
Fuel cost is the other primary advantage of electric lift trucks. These units have lower cost per hour compared to any of the other internal combustion or IC units. Among the main disadvantages to the electric forklifts is their higher initial expense. New electric forklifts can vary from 20% to 40 percent more compared to IC units which are similarly rated.
On the other hand, electric forklifts provide numerous benefits including quiet operation. This is a huge plus for indoor operations. Furthermore, no requirement for fuel storage mean no room needs to be allotted for tanks of dangerous and flammable fuels. Because electric forklifts have less moving components compared to internal combustion models, and they are usually utilized in cleaner environments and inside, they tend to have a longer lifespan overall.
The battery downtime is the biggest downside of an electric lift truck. These units function with heavy, large, lead-acid batteries, similar to the ones found inside your automobile. These batteries are extremely strong and really large. Typically, batteries provide sufficient power for one standard 8-hour shift, and this means 5 or 6 hours of nonstop utilization.
Originally, charging a forklift battery takes approximately 8 hours. After the charging process is completed, an extra 8 hours of cooling time is needed before it can be used. Because of this long method of slow charging speed and additional cooling time, if you need forklifts for 2 or 3 shift operations, you should buy additional batteries so you could always be charging the next battery. These additional batteries would add approximately $1000 to $2000 to buy.
On the market nowadays, there are several new fast charge electric forklifts. These fast charge batteries have changed the industry of electric forklifts. Their charging could be done during the course of lunch and coffee breaks, enabling them to return to work much faster.