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Factors driving the rise of the electric-powered forklift
Toyota Material Handling expect the UK market for electric counterbalanced forklift trucks to grow by as much as 10 per cent in the next five years. Our counterbalance sales specialist, Paul Bowers, discusses some of the factors driving the rise of the electric-powered forklift truck market.
Charging ahead
According to most reliable estimates, the forklift market has historically been split roughly 60-40 between LPG or diesel-powered internal combustion engine (IC) trucks and battery-powered electric models – with diesel being the most dominant fuel. But the coming years are anticipated to bring a clear shift away from diesel and LPG towards electric forklifts.
The rise of the electric lift truck can be attributed to a number of different factors - including heightened environmental concerns, rising fuel prices and greater awareness of staff welfare.
Battery advancements
Advances in battery technology, such as the further development of lithium-Ion and to a lesser extent (for now) hydrogen fuel cells, are also leading to greater interest in electric power, while the wide ranging changes to intralogistics processes brought about by the relentless rise of internet shopping tend to favour electric trucks too.
Of course, environmental issues have been on the corporate agenda for many years but recent talk of the introduction of a ‘carbon emissions tax’ has seen a sharp increase in the truck users that include like-for-like carbon emissions comparisons as part of their forklift fleet purchasing process. IC-engine trucks rarely come top of the class in such tests, which will not be a surprise to many given that electric-powered trucks have always been perceived to have the edge over the ic-engine alternative in all matters ‘green’.
Lithium-ion revolution
While lead acid remains by far the dominant battery type within the electric-powered forklift market, sales of Lithium-ion forklifts have been on a sustained upward curve for some time.
Although it is estimated that in the region of 90 per cent of all electric forklifts in operation throughout the world are still running on lead acid batteries, nearly a quarter of all Toyota electric-powered forklift trucks ordered for delivery in the UK now feature Lithium-Ion battery (LiB) technology.
Lithium-ion batteries have the ability to be recharged in as little as one hour - which increases a trucks overall availability. One hours charging will give in the region of 4 to 5 hours of operating time. Also, as these batteries allow for opportunity charging, trucks can be recharged anywhere by the operator during breaks in a shift or other periods of downtime.
Hydrogen is another option
Hydrogen fuel cells are also emerging as another viable alternative to lead acid batteries. At the present time, Hydrogen only becomes financially realistic where in the region of 90+ trucks are in operation at one location due to the significant investment required in hydrogen generation and storage systems, so the potential user market is currently somewhat limited.
Of course, as with any new development, when the product matures the price will drop and there is every reason to believe hydrogen fuel cell power will be within reach of every business with a forklift fleet in the not-too-distant future.
Understand what energy source is right
But, despite the worldwide rush to eliminate – or at least minimise - the use of fossil fuels and the myriad benefits that electric trucks offer users in terms of running costs, productivity, reduced pollution etc, it Is unlikely that we are witnessing the last days of the diesel-powered lift truck.
There are currently still numerous applications, particularly where extra-heavy lifting is involved and truck capacities of 8 tonnes and over are required, where a diesel forklift remains the best option. This might not be the case in 10 years’ time though.
Companies considering switching from ic- to electric-engine forklift trucks, should always discuss their options with their MHE supplier who will be able to assess the benefits of going electric for every type of operation.