The debate between forklifts powered by an industrial battery and conventional internal combustion (IC) forklifts is still being considered by finance savvy warehouse managers the world over.
When industries started shifting to an electric forklift battery as a power source, they also noticed some surprising benefits. These electric lift trucks were better for the environment as well as easier to maintain. One of the essential things they noticed, however, was that the true cost of electric lift truck operation became much lower than IC forklifts in the long run.
Here’s what warehouse managers need to know about the differences between IC forklifts and electric lift trucks.
Repairs and Maintenance
One of the most substantial challenges we face when it comes to saving money on overhead costs is finding new ways to lower your need for repairs and maintenance.
Warehouse managers know that their IC forklifts require frequent maintenance and repair. Many IC lift truck models are older and frequently need service. In addition to that, they require more attention and care from their operators. The presence of a combustion engine means that there are more moving parts and more opportunities for things to break down. Electric forklifts do not have this shortcoming and require less frequent repairs.
Another advantage of electric forklifts is that they require less interaction with operators. There’s no need to change out complicated fuel tanks or go through hazardous refueling protocols. One of the few regular repairs needed by electric lift trucks is maintaining an electric forklift battery. While maintaining and charging an electric forklift battery might sound a little technical, but it is the best way to lengthen the lifespan of your industrial battery and save money. Strengthening your bottom line is also a matter of downtime.
If warehouse managers have one primary concern, it’s downtime. When your machinery needs to go down for repairs, refueling, or servicing, that’s lost productivity and lost revenue. We already mentioned that electric forklifts have less downtime for repairs, but they can also use less downtime when refueling. While an eight hour refueling period sounds like a lot, it’s actually zero downtime if your warehouse only runs a single shift. For operations with two or three shifts, opportunity charging allows you to continuously cycle charges with little need for refueling downtime.
Efficient repairs and refueling aren’t just good for your downtime; it’s also good for the environment.
Going Green
With each passing year, more sectors of the economy are going green. Warehouses aren’t left behind by these changes in the ways we do business. Warehouse managers are always looking for new ways to incorporate this growth in green technology into their business. Transitioning from IC lift trucks to electric forklifts is a great way to go green.
IC lift trucks run on conventional fuels, including gas, diesel, and propane. These fuels not only release fumes that are hazardous to your workers, but also for the environment. Electric forklifts reduce the presence of these dangerous gasses. Since batteries power these lift trucks, their fuel costs are significantly lower, and your warehouse will be saving on more than emissions.
Businesses looking for warehousing solutions are increasingly interested in doing business with green companies. As warehousing becomes an increasingly eco-friendly industry, the presence of electric forklifts is expected to become that much more common.
Electric lift trucks come with many benefits, but one of the most important is value.
Calculate Your Savings
With this handy savings calculator, you can enter information about the size of your forklift fleet and determine how long it would take for electric forklifts to start paying for themselves. Take a look at your numbers and determine when electric lift trucks will be right for your warehouse.
After you’ve calculated your potential savings, let’s take a look at how electric forklifts have overcome some common warehousing difficulties.
Overcoming Coming Warehouse Problems
Electric forklifts have grown from a cutting-edge advancement to a reliable part of warehouse operations. On the way, they have had to overcome some difficulties.
- Cost – Electric lift trucks have overcome their higher upfront costs by saving warehouse managers money in the long run. Over time, electric forklifts start to pay for themselves.
- Environment – Not only do electric forklifts produce no exhaust, they also do not require environmentally hazardous fossil fuels—which can also be a boost to the safety and health of your employees.
- Exposure – Some IC forklifts still fair better for outdoor use, especially in damper climates, but electric lift trucks are rapidly catching up to this critical sector of the industry.
When you decide to upgrade to electric forklifts, you need to be armed with all the facts—this is most important when considering your financial situation.
Your Bottom Line
As a warehouse manager, you are the last line of defense for your organization’s bottom line. The true cost of electric forklift ownership isn’t just the startup cost of buying into this type of lift truck; it’s in the long-term outlook. You’ll start to notice a difference the first time you don’t have to place that order for conventional fuels.
Calculating your bottom line is a project with a long-term scope. The longer electric lift trucks are in use, the greater the savings become.
Start Saving with Lift
When you order through us, you don’t just save money with a quality supplier; you work with a partner.
Our company offers comprehensive customer service for the life of your battery inventory. From installation through to disposal and service, we are here to make sure you have the power to get the job done.
Contact us today to place an order or to learn more about how electric forklifts can benefit your warehouse.
