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Electric forklifts have greatly increased in popularity over forklifts with Internal Combustion (IC) engines. In fact, the material handling industry is adopting electric lifts more than 70 percent of the time.
Partially attributed to increased awareness of the environmental impact of the utilization of fossil fuels, there is also a solid business case for making the switch to electric forklifts, offering enhanced employee safety and comfort, as well as an impact on the company’s bottom line.
Environmental benefits
The phasing out of fossil fuel vehicles is not just a material handling initiative, as many governments have established timelines for banning the sale of IC vehicles. This is seen as an essential step in the fight against climate change and has become a priority across the industrialized nations of the world. In fact, in early April 200, the governors of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts teamed with governors from nine other states to campaign for President Joe Biden to ban combustion engines in all passenger cars and light-duty vehicles by 2035.
Business Reason #1: Improved Employee Safety
There are two main disadvantages in IC-powered forklifts when it comes to worker safety: emissions and noise.
IC engines may emit carbon monoxide. To prevent CO poisoning, workspaces with IC forklifts should be either fully outdoors or very well-ventilated.
Noise may not seem like a serious problem for workers, but the CDC estimates that 22 million workers in the US are exposed to hazardous noise levels, which can lead to permanent hearing loss. In fact, OSHA requires employers to initiate hearing conservation programs when noise reaches a certain level. This includes a “Buy Quiet” Initiative. Electric forklifts mitigate this risk by eliminating this source of noise on the job.
Business Reason #2: Lower Overall Forklift Maintenance and Costs
The initial purchase price of an IC forklift is typically lower than the price of a comparable electric forklift. However, when considering the total cost of ownership, electric forklifts almost always save companies money in fuel and maintenance costs.
It’s estimated that fuel costs can run approximately $70 per day for each lift truck. That’s over $18,000 each year for just one IC truck.
IC forklifts have a higher number of moving parts compared to electric forklifts. This increases the risk of breakdowns, leaks, spills, and a generally shorter lifespan than a battery-powered lift truck.
Electric technology has the flexibility and versatility to meet the needs of warehouse managers looking to streamline operations with an energy-efficient solution. There has never been a better time to go green and convert your fleet to electric.