Corporate

Electric Lift Trucks

Advanced Energy currently is developing a program and is working with electric utility members to promote the use of sit down electric lift trucks (ELTs) that will help industrial clients achieve cleaner, quieter fork truck operations at lower operating costs.

Electric lift trucks offer longer service life, lower annual cost, less maintenance, and are more compact and easily maneuverable than their internal combustion-engine (ICE) counterparts. These vehicles are almost noiseless and produce no noxious gases. The significant cost reduction from using electricity, compared to combustion-based fuel, provides a rapid payback on the initial equipment cost for ELTs.

Key Reasons For Choosing Electric Lift Truck Technology

More and more industries are opting to use electric lift trucks because:

1. ELTs have lower annual costs compared to ICEs.
   • Quick payback on initial equipment investment. In one shift, a typical gasoline powered lift truck can incur $15.40 in fuel costs. A comparable LPG lift truck will have $10.80 in fuel costs and a diesel powered lift truck will have $8.80 in fuel costs. In comparison, a similar ELT will have only $1.60 in fuel costs per shift. This translates into an 80% - 90% cost savings by using an ELT. A typical facility will receive an annual fuel cost savings of $1,800 to $3,600 per shift operation. This dramatic decrease in fuel costs helps provide a quick payback, despite slightly higher initial equipment costs.
   • Less maintenance time. Because there is no oil to change and maintenance-free batteries are available, the only regular maintenance necessary for an ELT is recharging of batteries at the end of the work shift. In addition, batteries not classified as maintenance-free will also need to have the water levels checked periodically.
   • Longer service life. ELTs will last 10 years, a battery six years, and a charger 15 years. ICEs average a service life of six to seven years.
2. ELTs create a better work place and are better for the environment.
   • No emissions and little to no noise pollution. ICEs produce noxious gases, including carbon monoxide, and other poisonous releases. ELTs produce no emissions because their charged batteries bypass the combustion otherwise essential to the production of operating energy. Fewer emissions may reduce the number of employee sick days. The absence of a combustion engine in an ELT also results in significantly less noise.
   • More safety features than ICEs. With heavy batteries to replace the engine, ELTs are significantly heavier than the same size ICE truck. This additional weight, combined with a lower center of gravity to balance that weight, provides better operating stability. Using an ELT reduces fire and explosion hazards because combustible fuels are not being stored or used.
3. ELTs are more versatile than ICEs.
   • More compact design for the same capacity rating. With small, heavy batteries instead of a bulky engine, an ELT offers a more compact design than an equivalently rated ICE truck. Consequently, an ELT needs less operating space and can maneuver in tighter aisles than the ICE truck. With their added heft and lower center of gravity, ELTs can lift just as much or more weight than ICE trucks.
   • Smoother handling and a higher starting torque than ICEs. Because electric energy flow produces a flat torque line, an ELT has more starting torque than a combustion-based lift truck and will reach speeds exceeding 10 miles per hour. ELTs have smoother handling than other lift trucks because their acceleration is linear.

For further information, contact Jeff Barghout at (919) 857-9000 or jbarghout@advancedenergy.org.