Which is best for your materials handling operation?
The optimum forklift power source for your application depends on your operational needs and circumstances. Cat® lift truck dealers will guide you to the ideal type, model and configuration from our extensive range.
Today’s main forklift power source contenders are:
- Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery electric
- Lead-acid battery electric
- Diesel IC engine & LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) IC engine
To be certain of making the right choice, ask your local Cat lift truck dealer for an expert assessment. Our product portfolio comprehensively covers all of the power source categories above – so you can be sure of unbiased advice.
To aid your initial thinking on forklift power sources, we’ve prepared clear written guidance. After reading the following summary, go to the Power Sources pages on our website for further details.
ELECTRIC FORKLIFTS
Electric counterbalance forklifts have many advantages over LPG and diesel forklifts. Click on electric forklift advantages for an explanation of these. They include:
- Zero emissions
- Higher energy efficiency
- Easier and more economical maintenance
- Long life and lasting value
- Powerful performance
- Intelligent control
- Programmability
- Safety
- Agility
- Supreme ergonomics and comfort
- Lower TCO (total cost of operation)
Li-ion battery electric forklifts
With Li-ion batteries, you can use fast opportunity charging to keep your forklifts in continuous action without battery changes. This is great in non-stop, round-the-clock shift work, for example.
Other Li-ion battery benefits include:
- Longer battery lifespan
- Higher energy efficiency
- Longer runtime
- Consistently high performance throughout shifts
- No daily maintenance needs
- No gas or acid risks
Lead-acid battery electric forklifts
Use of lead-acid battery power is well established and trusted in many workplaces. Traditional flooded lead-acid batteries continue to give reliable service. In addition, there are various kinds of sealed lead-acid battery. Their manufacturers have never stopped making advances. Our dealers can advise on the optimum combination of batteries and chargers for your business.
You may choose to stick with lead-acid for reasons including:
- Familiarity
- Lower battery purchase price
- Lower set-up cost
- High recyclability
IC ENGINE FORKLIFTS
IC engine forklifts – both diesel and LPG – still have much to contribute to the materials handling industry. Click on IC engine future to see what we mean.
There is clearly a trend toward switching from IC engine to electric forklifts. This is often for health and sustainability reasons. However, it should be noted that today’s IC engines are much cleaner and greener than their predecessors.
Here are some of the criteria on which LPG and diesel forklifts still score highly:
- Quick refuelling
- Independence from the electricity grid
- Maintenance area space savings
- Lower purchase price
- Resistance to the harshest conditions
- Familiarity
For further advice on forklift power sources, see the Power Sources pages on our website. For information on our comprehensive range of Cat electric and IC engine lift trucks, visit our product pages.
