A new life for electric pallet trucks and forklifts

In industrial and logistics sector, electric pallet trucks and forklifts have long been powered by lead acid batteries. Replacing the old lead acid batteries with the new generation of Lithium Ion Batteries (LFP) offers multiple advantages.

Firstly, a Lithium-ion battery (LFP) is now capable of storing up to 5 times more energy than a lead-acid battery of the same mass. Moreover, the usable capacity of these batteries is higher, and opportunity charging is possible, which allows the machines to have a range that covers at least one day of use. Another important point is that there is no longer any risk of explosion due to the production of hydrogen during charging, which meant that dedicated charging rooms were needed for large logistics platforms and industrial sites.

These batteries have a greater number of charge/discharge cycles, therefore their life span is up to 5 times longer, allowing the pallet trucks to operate for much longer than with a lead acid battery. In addition, lead-acid batteries require regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly, whereas lithium-ion batteries do not require any maintenance during their lifetime.

The material cost of a lithium-ion battery (called CAPEX) is still about 30% to 40% more expensive than a lead-acid battery, however, as maintenance is no longer required, the operating costs (commonly referred to as OPEX) are almost zero.

SIG Energy Technology is playing a full part in the development of electric pallet trucks and forklifts by marketing high-quality lithium-ion batteries suitable for this purpose.

Come and meet us at the international LogiMAT trade fair, the most important annual event for intralogistics and logistics solutions. With various options for process optimisation/improvement and cost reduction, this trade fair offers a comprehensive overview of the logistics sector as well as an introduction to the latest developments/innovations in this field, such as electric pallet trucks and forklifts.

SIG Energy Technology is an exhibitor/participant at this exhibition, you are welcome to come and meet us!

The next LogiMAT will take place in 2022, in Stuttgart, Germany.