Electric vs. Internal Combustion Forklifts – what option is best for your business?
The increasing emphasis on efficiency, emissions, and workplace safety, which is driven both by government legislation and corporate responsibility, has placed the spotlight on using clean, renewable energy in all types of industry.
Forklifts are no different! That’s why South Island Forklifts has invested in becoming the South Island’s specialists in the sales and service of battery electric forklifts for all types of applications.
In this article we’re going to explore the key advantages of battery electric forklifts compared to Internal Combustion (aka IC) forklifts to help you make an informed decision about the best option for your business.
We’ll cover:
- Operating costs
- Emissions
- Noise
- Maintenance
- Manoeuvrability
- Why going electric might not work for you
The 5 key advantages of electric forklifts for your business
Lower Operating Costs
It’s good to see that saving the planet saves you money too. Over time, battery electric forklifts typically cost less to run than IC-powered forklifts for three significant reasons.
- Electricity in New Zealand is cheaper than diesel, petrol, or LPG.
- Fewer moving parts in electric motors mean less maintenance. An electric motor dispenses with engine oil, filters, spark plugs, and other consumables.
- Brake wear is reduced thanks to the regenerative braking systems fitted to electric forklifts.
Over the life of your forklift, these savings can add up very nicely indeed, especially if you have a multi-shift or high-usage operation.
Zero Emissions mean Cleaner Air
Electric forklifts don’t pump out any exhaust fumes, which is obviously a big advantage over IC if they’re used indoors. Not only is cleaner air more pleasant and healthier to work in, environments like cold storage facilities, clean rooms, and packaging plants also benefit from the lack of contaminating exhaust particulates circulating in the room.
Using zero-emission equipment is also an easy way to reduce the overall carbon footprint of your business, which is a key part of meeting your sustainability goals.
Quieter Operation
Another way electric forklifts are healthier is that they are much quieter than their IC counterparts. Staff well-being is important to support for countless reasons, and ambient noise is a significant long-term health hazard for workers at many industrial sites. High noise levels can lead to excess fatigue which is a serious safety issue, as well as permanent hearing damage.
Noise pollution can also lead to complaints from nearby property owners, especially if your business is located in a noise-sensitive environment like near residential areas or around hospitals.
Simplified Maintenance
Basically there are a lot fewer things that can go wrong on an electric forklift. The lack of moving parts and need for consumables means that electric forklifts require less frequent and less intensive maintenance, which contributes to a big cost saving over the lifetime of the unit. Multiply that by the number of forklifts at your site and you’re looking at an easy way to significantly reduce operating costs.
- No oil to change
- No fuel filter to change
- No radiators or exhaust systems to maintain
- Fewer mechanical components that wear and need servicing or replacement
- More uptime and lower service costs
Improved Manoeuvrability and Control
If you work in small or narrow spaces, then an electric forklift is well worth considering for that reason alone. With accurate drive-by-wire systems and electric steering that enables small turning circles they are perfect for use in tight warehouse spaces and if you require a high degree of precision when loading and unloading.
What are the drawbacks of electric forklifts
While the list of advantages is long, electric forklifts are not the right option for everyone.
- While it is offset by lower running costs, the initial purchase cost can be higher.
- Battery charging time might need to be scheduled during shifts, or you might require spare batteries to be on hand for multi-shift use.
- If you operate your forklift primarily outdoors, in extreme weather conditions, or run round-the-clock shifts an IC forklift might still be the more practical option. However, watch this space as the electric technology is always improving.
South Island Forklifts recommendation
Because we sell and service both electric and IC forklifts we’re in a great position to advise you impartially on the best option for you. As we’ve seen, going electric is a great way to go for a host of reasons, and as the technology continues to develop electric forklifts will become more efficient, more versatile, and work for more businesses. However, there are still some applications where an IC forklift will continue to serve you much better for the foreseeable future.
The advantages of electric forklifts at a glance
- Lower operating costs
- Zero emissions
- Cleaner operation
- Less noise
- Less maintenance, more uptime
- Ideal for indoor use and in tight spaces
Let’s talk forklifts
Whether you’re keen to go electric or recognise that IC is better for your business, we’re the right people to help with sales, leasing, and on-site servicing.