Lithium-Ion Powered Lift Trucks Offer Several Advantages According to Manufacturer

UK – With the introduction of its latest J2.5-3.0XNL counterbalance lift truck the Hyster® company is making much of the advantages of its lithium-ion technology. Engineered around a fully integrated and space-saving lithium-ion battery, the manufacturer says the truck is at the forefront of innovation, with a design that helps free space in the operator compartment, maximising comfort, and convenience to enable high productivity.

The truck is available in four models offering lift capacity of up to three tonnes, all that is usually needed in the type of environment this model will be faced with. Offering one clear advantage is within the food and beverage sector where in processing, manufacture, and storage applications, lift trucks are commonly found transporting and stacking pallets within an indoor warehouse.

In these circumstances cleanliness is non-negotiable for preventing contamination, as suppliers must meet certain standards to ensure that food safety and quality are guaranteed. Thanks to the lithium-ion battery, lift trucks from the Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL series have no fumes or acid, which could result in a spill.

The lithium-ion battery is fully integrated and does not need to be removed from the truck for charging. No lead acid batteries need to be stored on site and as the batteries are ‘maintenance free’, they also require no watering, cleaning, or equalising. Both factors again reduce potential contact with contaminants on a clean site. Health, pharmaceutical, and paper manufacturing operations which demand high hygiene standards will also enjoy these benefits.

Lithium powered plant also performs well in both warm and cool environments, giving operations the flexibility to use the lift truck wherever it is needed across the entire operation, with food and pharma commodities often having both ambient, and temperature controlled and frozen facilities under the same roof.

Lithium also bears up well to the particular stresses encountered in busy logistics operations and freight handling warehouses. These are usually high intensity, multi-shift operations that demand round the clock truck availability and maximum uptime. With fast charging times of just 1-2 hours, the new Hyster trucks provide an effective solution for increasing operational uptime.

High hour operations will often find that, despite the greater upfront investment, lithium-ion forklifts prove an economical choice over time compared to other power options. Phil Ireland, Programme Leader 20/20 Platform for Hyster Europe, said:

“Opportunity charging of the lithium-ion batteries enables the J2.5-3.0XNL trucks to top up on power during break times, with no adverse effect on battery life,” says Phil. “This alternative charging strategy also saves valuable space. Where real estate is increasingly expensive, there is no need to allocate space for battery storage, or as a charging room, so more of the building footprint can be used for profitable activities.

“Electric lift trucks, particularly lithium-ion forklifts, are sometimes presumed less well suited to demanding industries or outdoor applications compared to IC trucks. While diesel and LPG trucks are often a great fit in intensive operations, the zero-emissions Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL series can be an equally powerful addition to the fleet in many industry applications.

“The switch to lithium-ion powered electric trucks is a big business decision and may require changes to infrastructure and a new charging strategy. However, forward-thinking companies with high intensity operations will not only be able to take advantage of productivity and cost benefits but use zero-emissions lift trucks that align with their sustainability objectives too.”