Page 39 - Logistics News - Issue 01 - 2024.indd

ELECTRI C FO RKLIFT S

Electric forkli�s keeping pace with

e-commerce warehousing demands

By Stephen Mostert, National Technical Manager at CFAO Equipment SA

The rise of e-commerce is changing the way warehouses are designed and
operated, with experts predicting that it will increase the size of the global
forklift market.

nline shopping (e-commerce) has taken the retail specialists meet carbon-neutrality goals. With forklifts that

industry by storm, with some sources predicting are fitted with internal combustion engines no longer being
Othat by 2040, almost 95 percent of all shopping will allowed in closed warehouses, electric forklifts, especially
be at least in part facilitated by e-commerce. The impact of those using lithium-ion batteries, are becoming more
the COVID-19 pandemic has also resulted in fewer visits to dominant.
brick-and-mortar shops, with many large retailers managing
to effectively capitalise on a change in consumer demand Until about a decade ago, old generation forklifts that
by shifting most of their operations online. used diesel or gas-driven engines were popular. Over
the past few years, we have seen a steady increase in
As consumer spending habits are changing, so too is demand for battery-operated equipment as businesses
the way suppliers and manufacturers deal with this growth. strive to reduce their carbon footprint. In material handling,
In particular, the rise of e-commerce is changing the way especially in the e-commerce sector, time is money.
warehouses are designed and operated.
With forklifts powered by lithium-ion batteries, downtime
The ever-shifting retail landscape is keeping managers is significantly reduced. These machines can work 24 hours

of traditional forms of warehouses on their toes. Today, a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, perfectly
speed is the name of the game – consumers can review, meeting the needs of e-commerce outlets.
compare and purchase items faster than ever with the
expectation of delivery without delay. Unlike lead-acid batteries that emit
fumes, the lithium-ion battery has zero
To accomplish this race against time, warehouses now emissions. Lithium-ion batteries require less time to
look very different from in the past. E-commerce requires charge than their lead-acid counterparts, which also
businesses to not only stock a larger selection of items, but have to rest before they can be used again. Thus,
also have additional space available for the technology and your fleet will benefit from increased productivity.

equipment facilitating the various high-speed processes Since lithium-ion batteries maintain a higher, more
taking place. stable voltage throughout a shift, you will also
experience higher forklift performance, which can
Warehouses today need premises large enough to translate to increased output.
accommodate goods and employees as well as the
automated equipment carrying out certain processes. They The size of a forklift is also key to operational

also require much taller interiors to allow for higher stacking efficiency. Whereas forklifts with internal combustion
of merchandise. engines were bulky, their electric counterparts are
more compact and contribute to the goal
Experts predict that e-commerce will increase the size of maximising operational space within
of the global forklift market and electric lifting and carrying a company’s warehouse or distribution
machines specifically will help retailers and logistics centre. •

www .l o g ist i csn e w s .c o .z a I S S UE 01 – 2024 37