Are you thinking of going electric, or having a healthy mix in your fleet? Electric counterbalance forklift trucks can positively impact your TCO, have a greater residual capacity and are more environmentally friendly than their internal combustion engine counterparts.
Read on to explore 6 reasons why you should choose electric counterbalance forklifts.
1. Lower carbon footprint
Electric forklift trucks are zero-emission, energy-efficient and are the most environmentally friendly option on the market. The UK government has pledged in their ‘Net Zero Strategy’ to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 in order to reach a more sustainable future. Of course, 2050 sounds far away, but early investment in these electric vehicles will work to set you ahead of the curve and help you on your journey to reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by your materials handling operations. This positively impacts the health of your employees as well as the wider environment.
2. Improve TCO
TCO means total cost of ownership and it takes into account the overall cost of the vehicle, which means more than just what you pay to buy or rent. As well as the purchase price of the vehicle, TCO includes all operational costs and expenses such as maintenance, downtime, electricity used, insurance, additional periphery, cost increase or upgrades of parts, familiarisation for the operator, and more. Of course, not all of these will be applicable to everyone but they are key contributors to your total cost of ownership.
Electric forklifts improve your overall TCO by utilising electricity – with fuel prices skyrocketing, electric-powered machines are more cost-effective than diesel or LPG. Electric forklifts are more expensive as an initial purchase however, they’re cheaper in the long run and cost less in terms of environmental impact and the health of forklift operators.
Related read: How to keep your long-term forklift costs under control
3. Compact machines
The advanced dynamic cornering control of electric counterbalance forklifts enables safe manoeuvring. The compact nature of the chassis on these machines gives them more room to operate in confined environments safely. In addition to this, the machine recognises the load that you have; if you’re carrying more than 500KG, for example, the lift, tilt and side shift becomes more responsive.
4. Maintenance benefits
It's 20% more expensive to maintain an engine truck than an electric one. That means those who utilise electric counterbalance forklifts can enjoy a 20% saving on maintenance. Whilst electric counterbalance trucks have one hydraulic motor, it requires less servicing than engines which have filters and oil changes that require regular, often extensive maintenance.
It’s known that fuel-powered equipment is more likely to break down as they have more moving parts. This increases the risk of things going wrong, breaking or having faults. As they are battery-operated, electric vehicles have fewer components which means they don’t require as many replacement parts.
5. Better residual capacity
Residual capacity is a hugely important factor to take into account when deciding on your next forklift or fleet. When you’re in a warehouse or on-site, you need to ensure that the load you’re carrying – and potentially lifting up to a great height – is not overbearing on your truck. Residual capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight your truck can lift without losing its stability. Even though they’re compact machines, electric counterbalance forklifts have a lower centre of gravity due to the position of the heavy battery.
6. Advanced safety features
Electric counterbalance forklifts are built with safety and efficiency in mind. These trucks have lower step-in which makes mounting and dismounting the vehicle much easier for the operator compared to an engine truck which sits quite high. Drivers can operate at speed and with enhanced precision without compromising safety due to their traction control, which makes steering firmer the faster you go, similar to traction control. Pin code entry enables operators to have individual drive parameters governed by the site management team.
Auto Plug Braking on an electric counterbalance can be optimised so that when a driver removes their foot from the accelerator, the vehicle automatically slows and advanced hydraulics keep load handling steady and precisely controlled. Additionally, electric forklift trucks produce significantly less noise than their internal combustion engine, meaning they generate less vibration which assists in providing an ergonomic work environment.
Key considerations when investing in an electric forklift
Renting, leasing, and buying.
When looking to use an electric truck, it’s important to consider the condition of the battery. Looked after properly, lead-acid batteries are robust and would have a 5-year warranty. Ensure that you’re speaking with a trusted partner who can assure you that the battery is in good working condition.
Overall the best option to choose is whatever works for your operations. If you need a forklift truck for a one-time operation, then buying a vehicle isn’t likely going to be the right move. Similarly, renting can be less impactful on your bottom line.
Standardisation
Standardised parts are easier to source which means that if you have maintenance issues or need replacements, you can obtain them far quicker and more efficiently than non-standardised components. At UniCarriers, we use standardised parts. This means that each of our customised forklift truck variants has interchangeable components to ensure consistency and make accessing and fitting replacements a much more seamless process.
Inside vs. Outside
Electric counterbalance trucks are made weatherproof and specifically designed to operate in all conditions at all times. Almost all of the applications we use for an electric truck will do the same job as an engine truck, yet there is still some uncertainty around using electric trucks outdoors.
The UniCarriers MXS series, for example, is ideal for handling tasks in fast-paced environments – both indoors and outdoors. These reliable machines offer unique handling efficiency thanks to advanced manoeuvrability and intelligent control systems which maximise agility and productivity, whatever the situation.
At UniCarriers, we’re focused on helping you achieve your goals by improving your material handling. Choosing the right forklift truck for your operations will ensure your site, warehouse, and employees are all operating comfortably, safely and with optimal efficiency. To discover which solution is best for your materials handling, take a look at our range of rugged, durable, and highly-efficient electric counterbalance trucks.
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