Material handling equipment has always been required to be efficient, reliable, and safe. However, as industries evolve, the focus on sustainability has become increasingly crucial. Today, every major industrial sector aims to lower its carbon footprint, reduce its environmental impact, and meet stringent regulatory targets—and the material handling industry is no exception.
The growing demand for sustainability has accelerated the adoption of electric forklifts and lithium forklift battery technologies as pivotal solutions. In this blog, we’ll explore how electric forklifts and lithium forklift batteries are revolutionizing the material handling industry, offering power solutions that enhance both sustainability and performance.
Switch from Fuel to Electrification: Powered by Forklift Batteries
In the 1970s and 1980s, the material handling market was dominated by internal combustion (IC) engine forklifts. Fast forward to today, and the dominance has shifted to electric forklifts, partly attributed to more affordable and improved electrification technologies, reduced electricity costs, and the consistently high costs of petrol, diesel, and LPG. However, the most significant factor can be put down to the increasing concern over the emissions from IC engine forklifts. Many regions across the world are enacting regulations to reduce emissions. For instance, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is working to help material handling operations retire internal combustion (IC) engine forklifts from their fleet gradually. The increasingly stringent regulations on air quality and risk management have made electric forklifts powered by batteries more favorable for businesses over internal combustion models.
Compared with traditional diesel engines, forklift battery power solutions offer significant environmental benefits, drastically reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases and promoting a more sustainable way to industrial operations and logistics. According to the US Department of Energy, when used for over 10,000 hours, IC engine forklift trucks will generate 54 tons more carbon than electric forklifts.
Lithium vs. Lead Acid: Which Forklift Battery is More Sustainable
There are two main battery technologies that power electric forklifts: lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. While batteries produce no harmful emissions during use, their production is associated with CO2 emissions. Lead-acid batteries generate 50% more CO 2 emissions over their life cycle than lithium-ion batteries and also release acid fumes during charging and maintenance. Therefore, lithium-ion batteries are a cleaner technology.
Moreover, lithium-ion batteries feature higher efficiency, as they can typically convert up to 95% of their energy into useful work, compared to about 70% or even less for lead-acid batteries. This means electric forklifts powered by lithium-ion batteries are more energy-efficient than their lead-acid counterparts.
Due to the longer lifespan of lithium-ion batteries, typically around 3500 charge cycles compared with 1000 to 2000 for a lead-acid one, the maintenance and replacement frequency are lower, which can lead to reduced future battery disposal concerns, aligning with businesses’ sustainability goals. As lithium-ion technology continues to improve with a reduced environmental footprint, it’s taking center stage in modern material handling.
Choose ROYPOW Lithium Forklift Batteries to Go Green
As a socially responsible company, ROYPOW is always committed to environmental sustainability. It has compared the carbon dioxide reduction of its lithium-ion forklift batteries with that of lead-acid batteries for clients. The result shows that these batteries can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 23% annually. Therefore, with ROYPOW forklift batteries, Your warehouse isn’t just moving pallets; it’s moving towards a cleaner and greener future.
ROYPOW forklift batteries use LiFePO4 cells, which are safer and more stable than other lithium chemistries. With a design life of up to 10 years and over 3,500 charge cycles, they provide long-lasting and reliable performance. The built-in intelligent BMS (Battery Management System) performs real-time monitoring and offers multiple safety protections. Additionally, the unique hot aerosol fire extinguisher design effectively prevents potential fire hazards. ROYPOW batteries are rigorously tested and certified to industry standards, including UL 2580 and RoHs. For higher-demanding applications, ROYPOW has developed IP67 forklift batteries for cold storage and explosion-proof forklift batteries. Each battery comes with a safe, efficient, and intelligent battery charger for enhanced performance. All of these powerful features ensure higher reliability, making them more sustainable in the long run.
For forklift fleets seeking to replace lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion alternatives to support environmental initiatives and increase sustainability in the long term, ROYPOW will be your trusted partner. It offers drop-in-ready solutions that ensure proper battery fitment and performance without the need for retrofitting. These batteries comply with the BCI standards, set by the leading trade association for the North American battery industry. The BCI Group Sizes categorize batteries based on their physical dimensions, terminal placement, and any special features that could affect fitment.
Conclusion
Looking ahead, sustainability will continue to drive innovation in material handling, leading to greener, more efficient, and cost-effective power solutions. Businesses that embrace the integration of advanced lithium forklift battery technologies will be well-positioned to reap the rewards of a sustainable tomorrow.
SOURCE: Jodie Miller, Managing Partner, ROYPOWÂ
