Page 11 - Logistics News - September October 2023

FO R K LI F T S

The adoption of battery-operated use of lithium-ion batteries, emissions
forklifts is being driven by three main are eliminated, resulting in a cleaner and
benefits. more environmentally conscious working
environment.
1. Greater efficiencies and return on
investment (ROI) 3. Driver comfort
ICE forklifts are more expensive to Since an electric forklift has zero
run. Whereas fuel for an ICE truck vibration and its noise levels are less
costs between R20 and R25 per than that of an ICE forklift, it is a lot more
litre, electricity for battery-operated comfortable to operate.
equipment costs just R1.50 per
kilowatt. Furthermore, the per hour “While we are focused on growing the
efficiency of an electric machine electric market, most businesses still use
makes it more economical to run, Brent Light, National Product Manager ICE forklifts and will do so for some time.
particularly considering the virtually for Toyota Material Handling – The move towards electric forklifts is
100 percent energy efficiency of a Counterbalance Equipment. happening slowly, but as battery-powered
lithium-ion battery. machinery becomes more capable in
handling difficult environments, adoption should speed
“Energy consumption and the cost of that energy is up,” maintains Light.
less for an electric forklift compared to an ICE forklift.
Therefore, in all applications, even though the upfront It is important to consider that different applications
costs may be high, lithium-ion will eventually result in require different technologies. For example, in a brickyard
a cost saving. This saving can, however, be delayed or concrete facility, using electric forklifts might be a
in some very low utilisation applications, so it might drawback as they don’t have the extra power provided by
not always be justifiable to the business. However, ICE forklifts, and since the work area is mainly outdoors,
with a high or medium intensity operation, ROI will be the emissions requirements will most likely not be as
realised fairly quickly – within 24-36 months you will see stringent.
significant savings,” says Light.
“There are also certain applications where lead-acid
ROI is also realised through the cost of maintenance, battery technology is still viable and lithium-ion
which is a lot less on an electric forklift. It has fewer potentially less. However, we do find customers
moving components, so less can go wrong, and tyre moving to lithium-ion because of the maintenance
wear is also reduced because it is almost impossible to benefit, even when they don’t require the longer lifespan
create wheel spin. or the longer operating time of the lithium-ion battery.
With lithium-ion batteries, they do not need to worry
2. Sustainability about topping up water levels and if they need to short-
As the world looks towards a more sustainable future, charge, they can do so without any impact on the battery,”
more businesses are being guided by regulations to explains Light.
reduce carbon emissions. For example, in applications
such as food handling, businesses can no longer use “Having a variety of forklifts available will continue
LPG units, a stipulation of new legislation that came into to appeal to customers and their choice of machine
effect in 2020. will depend on what it will be used for. It is important
that they consider all options and choose the most
ICE forklifts expel diesel and gas emissions, and a suitable machine for the application,” Light
lead-acid battery emits gases when charged. With the concludes. •

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