It’s a big debate these days. Finding alternatives for fossil fuels that can match the performance and economics while keeping the future of the planet in mind, and it’s something you’re in a position to ask if you or your company is in the market for a forklift. Electric vs. gas?
The biggest advantage an electric forklift has over a gasoline-powered machine is right there on your bottom line. Cost of ownership.
Electric forklifts have no oil changes, spark plugs, belts fuel lines… fewer parts that need regular maintenance or servicing. (That is not to say they are maintenance and service-free, more on that later.) Your fuel cost is paid upfront in the cost of the battery (a typical battery will last 5-7 years if properly maintained.)
Electric forklifts operate with zero emissions. Many companies with Green initiatives use electric forklifts for this very reason. Food prep and food service plants have stringent regulations that practically require an electric forklift to avoid contamination.
They’re quieter, too. They have a smaller footprint so they require less operating space than their gas-powered counterparts.
Now, before you go running out to buy your next electric forklift, you should know that there is a significant power difference between electric and gas.
Gas-powered forklifts have engine specific sizes for each capacity. In other words, the larger the engine the more product the lift can manage safely.
Electric forklifts are limited to the voltage of the drive motor, meaning the capacity can’t be increased once you’ve reached a certain level. Even the highest-rated drive motors on an electric forklift are only capable of lifting between 3,000 and 7,000 pounds. A gas forklift’s capacity can range from 2,000 to 36,000 pounds.
We mentioned maintenance earlier. Safety checks and grease points are virtually the same on both electric and gasoline-powered lifts. Both have mast channels that require grease, and chains, cylinders, pumps, lines, tires and axles that need to be routinely checked.
The motor on the electric forklift is where your maintenance requirements deviate from the gas-powered. The electric motor is practically maintenance-free. Blow the dust off it periodically and you’ve done all you need. Water the battery, charge it and discharge it properly and it will last, as we mentioned, a good 5-7 years.
So, now you’re armed with the basic knowledge you need to help decide if an electric forklift may suit your needs better than a gasoline-powered machine.
Got more questions? Contact us! We can guide you through the electric vs. gas forklift decision.