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Why Convert to Electric Forklifts?
With various state implementation plans in place for Zero-Emission (Air Quality) and climate control goals in the US ramping up for 2030, we are starting to see the evolving need for businesses to convert their fleet of forklifts from internal combustion (IC) to that of electric forklifts. It’s a trend that has occurred over the last decade for a variety of reasons and that is continuing to grow– due to rising environmental standards, the impact on total cost of ownership, and, in some cases, efficiency advantages that can be provided by electric forklifts under the right conditions.
Choosing and using the right forklift for your application is important for both safety and productivity.
Electric forklifts are a great fit for warehouses and manufacturing facilities that require primarily indoor use. If your application requires indoor use and fumes or noise are a factor, then an electric forklift may be your ticket.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages to consider when converting from IC to Electric forklifts.
The technology of electric forklifts grows every day and sales have outpaced that of traditional internal combustion forklifts for a few years, but electric forklifts are not suitable in all applications. Check out some potential disadvantages of electric forklifts:
Once you have considered the advantages and disadvantages of using electric forklifts and if you determine an electric conversion is right for you, here are some things to consider as you begin on the path to transition.
How and when you make the transition to electric forklifts may be a matter of financing structure. Some organizations have full ownership over their fleet. If this is the case, you’ll need to make sure your usage either justifies a replacement process or that you can receive enough capital from resale to justify the transition to new/used electric models.
If you leased all trucks in your fleet simultaneously, prepare your conversion for the time those leases expire. Work with your forklift provider (Southwest ToyotaLift) to facilitate transition to new leases – this can be easily facilitated by a provider who works directly with a captive finance company (like Toyota does with Toyota Industrial Commercial Finance).
Other organizations will have a mixture of leased and owned models, or leases that expire at different times. If this is the case, you’ll need to consider the more complicated question of whether your facility is equipped to perform a gradual transition, replacing internal combustion forklifts with electric forklifts as it makes sense to do so. Maintaining operation and maintenance, as well as fueling and battery swapping activities, simultaneously can be time-consuming and have an impact on things like facility routing and organization. Make sure you’re equipped to handle it.
While you may be used to the speed and relatively low storage needs of swapping propane tanks to power your forklifts, providing energy to your electric models can take more storage space and time. Depending on the battery you select, storage for those batteries can be somewhat cumbersome. They are bigger and heavier than propane tanks and may have to swapped as often as every shift depending on your charging method and usage. Speaking of weight, you’ll also need dedicated space for swapping batteries and associates trained to do so. Preparing your facility for this kind of activity is important before you make the transition.
Making a transition to electric also means considering the type of battery you want to select – including traditional lead-acid batteries or lithium-ion batteries. Each can provide unique energy advantages that can be closely evaluated for your specific operation.
Work with a Southwest ToyotaLift who is well-versed in both IC and electric forklifts to help – who can provide an audit of your site to help you prepare.
After you work with a Southwest ToyotaLift to determine which electric models best fit your operation, you may find yourself with new machines that look and operate differently than your previous models. Remember, OSHA requires that operators be trained on every unique type of forklift that they use. Make sure your associates are properly trained in the use of new electric models.
The transition to electric can have long-term benefits for many operations. But careful evaluations of your preparedness to make the change needs to be completed before a final decision is reached. Southwest ToyotaLift can help to audit your operation and provide you with the appropriate recommendations and training for your team. To learn more about electric forklifts and if they are right for you, contact us.