Selecting the Best Energy Source

Selecting the appropriate forklift energy source to drive success is a choice that depends significantly on the needs of your specific operation. And while there are a wide variety of factors that may influence your decision between electric and internal combustion options, the facility you are operating in will have a clear impact on the performance of each option.

Whether you work in cold storage or the great outdoors, the temperature and other environmental factors of the areas where your forklifts operate make a big difference in the type of battery or fueling option you’ll want to use.

Consider each of these “environmental factors” when weighing your energy options.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

Traditional wisdom dictates that outdoor operations use internal combustion forklifts. But with new pneumatic electric options on the market, batteries can be considered for outdoor applications.

UL-Certification

Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) provides guidelines for the use of equipment in certain industries and applications. Your application may require a certain specific UL certification. With Toyota Industrial Energy Solutions, Toyota was first to market with a UL-E and UL-EE approved sit-down forklift and lithium-ion battery combination — a great option for those in need of equipment meeting these standards.

Governmental Regulations

One of the most influential governing bodies on forklift emission regulation across the U.S., the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) regulations, have an impact on fuel choice – especially when selecting diesel, propane, or compressed natural gas options. Regions that do not follow CARB still need to abide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local emissions regulations, as well as the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) or Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).

Operating Temperatures

Cold-storage options often run electric forklifts with built-in component insulation. But don’t neglect to consider the ambient temperature change when moving room to room. One consideration is that lithium-ion batteries run longer and operate at a higher voltage than lead-acid batteries in cold temperatures, leading to performance advantages.

Lithium-ion batteries can also be manufactured with a heater, allowing the battery to stay warm while operating in a cold environment while also functioning at full-capacity in ambient temperatures.

Facility Space

Forklift batteries require space for storage, charging, and maintenance. Your existing facility layout and available space can influence your energy choice.

To learn more about your forklift energy options, Call Thompson & Johnson today to speak to an equipment specialist or fill out a Customer Request Email Form above! 

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