Usually, electric forklifts are the most ideal alternative for indoor use in manufacturing and warehousing applications for 2 key reasons: First off they create zero emissions. This is an extremely vital factor to consider for indoor work places. Amongst the IC or internal combustion models, only the propane-fueled models can be used inside and these units still require extremely good ventilation. Models that work on diesel and gas could not be used indoors under any circumstances.
The main advantage of electric lift trucks is fuel expenses. As opposed to internal combustion or IC units, these have lower costs per hour. One of the main drawbacks to utilizing the electric forklifts is their higher initial expense. New electric lift trucks could vary from 20 percent to 40 percent more compared to IC models that are similarly rated.
However, electric lift trucks offer numerous advantages including quiet operation. This is a huge plus for indoor applications. Moreover, no need for fuel storage mean no room has to be allotted for tanks of fuels that are both dangerous and flammable. Because electric forklifts have less moving parts than internal combustion models, and they are usually utilized within cleaner settings and inside, they tend to have a longer overall lifespan.
The electric lift trucks biggest disadvantage is the batteries downtime. The big and really heavy, lead acid batteries are somewhat similar to the ones now found inside cars. These batteries are extremely large and very strong. Usually, batteries provide sufficient power for one standard 8-hour shift, and this translates into 5 or 6 hours of nonstop utilization.
Charging a forklift battery will take about 8 hours. An extra 8 hours of cooling time is required before it can be used after the charging process is completed. Because of this long method of extra cooling time and slow charging speed, if you require lift trucks for 2 or 3 shift operations, you would have to purchase additional batteries so you can be charging the nest battery always. These additional batteries would add around $1000 to $2000 to buy.
On the market these days, there are several new fast charge electric lift trucks. These fast charge batteries have changed the industry of electric lift trucks. Their charging could be completed in the course of coffee and lunch breaks, allowing them to get back to work much faster.