Usually, electric lift trucks are the best alternative for indoor use in manufacturing and warehousing applications for 2 main reasons: First off they produce zero emissions. This is a very essential factor to take into consideration for indoor work places. Out of the IC or internal combustion models, just the propane-fueled units could be used inside and these models still need extremely good ventilation. Units that work on gas and diesel can not be used inside under any circumstances.
Fuel cost is the other primary benefit of electric forklifts. These units have less cost per hour as opposed to any of the other internal combustion or IC models. Among the main disadvantages to the electric forklifts is their higher initial expense. New electric forklifts could vary from 20 percent to 40 percent more compared to internal combustion models that are similarly rated.
However, electric lift trucks provide many advantages like quiet operation. This is a huge plus for indoor operations. Moreover, no fuel storage needs mean no room needs to be allotted for tanks of fuels that are both flammable and dangerous. Because electric forklifts have less parts that move as opposed to internal combustion units, and they are normally utilized in cleaner environments and indoors, they tend to have a longer overall lifespan.
The battery downtime is the biggest downside of an electric lift truck. These models function with heavy, big, lead-acid batteries, like those found inside your car. These batteries are very large and very powerful. Normally, batteries offer enough power for one regular 8-hour shift, and this translates into 5 or 6 hours of nonstop utilization.
Charging a lift truck battery would take about 8 hours. An additional 8 hours of cooling time is needed before it can be used after the charging process is done. Because of this long process of extra cooling time and slow charging speed, if you require lift trucks for 2 or 3 shift operations, you would have to buy extra batteries so you can be charging the nest battery always. These additional batteries would add roughly $1000 to $2000 to buy.
There are several new fast charge electric forklifts available on the market. These specialized batteries have changed the electric lift truck industry. Their charging can be done in the course of lunch and coffee breaks, allowing them to return to work much faster.