What's the Big Difference Between Electric Cars and Electric Forklifts?
"Isn't it just like an electric car?"
Someone asked us this question while reviewing an electric forklift. Unusual? No, this question does come up now & then. We decided it needed a more detailed answer than "No" this month.
How An Electric Forklift Runs
Electric forklifts and electric cars run primarily the same way - a battery supplies power to its motor, which runs the wheels, and to the operator's controls (steering wheel, lights, dash, etc.).
However, the similarities end there.
An electric forklift needs a stronger, more stable battery than an electric car. For several reasons:
- It must provide power to the lift
- It must stabilize the unit under load
- It must respond to operator manipulation
- The forklift must drive over unstable/uneven terrain
As such, they use different technology. Yet often people express concerns over electric forklifts…but they’re thinking of problems that electric cars display.
Objections to Electric Forklift Adoption (That Originate from Electric Car Failures)
"They’re not as performant as IC forklifts."
Actually, they’re rated equally to IC forklifts for the same carrying capacities. Also, maintenance records indicate that they need less maintenance than IC forklifts, not more.
Consider what’s involved in electric forklift maintenance. Aside from the usual wheels/tires/lubrication, servicing a forklift battery includes battery watering (for lead-acid batteries only; not needed for lithium batteries), wire replacement if damaged, tightening any loose connections, and examining the fuses. That’s pretty much it.
"They’ll freeze up in Winter."
Will an electric forklift perform poorly in Winter? If properly serviced, no. Their battery & power systems have temperature shielding—so they are built to maintain the battery’s equilibrium. The only performance risk from Winter is lack of service, allowing for ice buildup or lubrication dry-out. (That can happen to ANY forklift.)
QUICK TIP: Newer lithium batteries have a "fast charging" mode, which will charge the battery at a higher amperage for a short time. This mode allows operators to run an extra charge during breaks, providing more energy for all-day/heavy-duty forklift use.
"Electric cars have a limited range per charge. Is that true for electric forklifts too?"
Yes, but forklift batteries go for much, much longer. Their batteries do have a charge limit, but they’re engineered for full industrial-scale operation over long periods. It’s common to get more than one 8-hour shift – often two whole shifts – out of one battery charge.
"They’re just as unreliable as electric cars."
Now this deserves some special attention.
The Proof – How Reliable Electric Forklifts Really Are
Everyone's seen a story about an electric car battery bursting into flames. Can this happen to an electric forklift? Technically yes. It’s possible, but extremely rare.
Forklifts of all types must shield internals from external conditions as much as possible, to keep the unit and its operator safe.
While this isn’t to say electric cars aren’t built with safety in mind, the fact remains that recent incidents don’t reflect on electric forklifts. And here's why.
Over the past 10 years, many electric car fires occurred after the car collided with another object (tree, other car, etc.). This damaged the battery, because it was either in the front of the car, or its primary connectors were there.
What's on the front of an electric forklift? The forks. Not the battery. It's safely ensconced under or behind the operator.
Its very location keeps it safer than electric car batteries!
What’s the second-most common battery fire trigger? Thermal runaway. Overcharging the car battery can rupture its cells, leading to a fire. With electric cars, this happens because people plug the car into a standard outlet...and leave it.
Electric forklifts have a built-in safety advantage here. Industrial battery chargers include charge monitoring. The charger ‘knows’ when the forklift battery reaches 100% charge – and stops sending current over. All on its own.
More Reliable, Strong Performance – Those are the Big Differences
We hope this demonstrates how electric forklifts have sturdier builds and greater safety than your average electric car.
One final point to end this article. Electric forklift adoption keeps growing. A 2021 study by Hayfield & Zhang projected that electric forklifts (lithium battery) will grow from 50,240 units sold in 2022, to 156,413 units sold in 2029! Businesses clearly want the reliable service electric forklifts give them.
Curious about trying out an electric forklift? Call your local Cromer to request a demo.
Until next month!
-The Cromer Team
Cromer Material Handling
Deal of the Month
2023 BOBCAT DOOSAN BC18 ELECTRIC – $36,298
For the September Deal of the Month, what else would we have but a reliable electric forklift? This is a Bobcat Doosan BC18, a new 2023 model.
The BC18s have a 3,500# capacity, with a smaller chassis and a three-stage mast. Ideal for drive-in rack and tight spaces. This unit has no miles on it – brand new, waiting to get out on the floor!
Pick up this 2023 Doosan electric for only $36,298. We have two units left at this price.
To get this Deal, call Cromer at 800-464-3225 and ask for the September Deal of the Month!