As soon as they start investigating forklift trucks for their fleet, operators will see a range of different power options. The market used to be dominated by diesel, but now LPG/gas and electric-powered forklifts are easily available. Since diesel engines are considered more powerful, diesel forklifts are thought of as lending themselves to more arduous and heavier jobs. But as technology continues to develop, larger and larger capacity electric forklifts will become more common. Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight, have a long service life, are maintenance-free, extremely energy efficient and can be charged in a few minutes.
This article was first published in the June 15th 2022 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
Every day Espex’s team of battery engineers is travelling the country fitting and inspecting traction batteries in order to keep UK logistics moving. The company has announced that these site visits will now be doing away with physical paperwork and allowing for job sheets to be created and signed off by customers digitally. Using a bespoke mobile app, engineers can list the works done at each site visit, such as inspections or voltage checks on cells, take relevant photographs then talk all this through with customers before both parties sign off the itemised job sheets.
EUROBAT, the association of European automotive and industrial battery manufacturers, has announced the launch of a completely new website. The site is built around the numerous applications that automotive and industrial batteries power and the benefits they offer in terms of ensuring mobility and providing energy storage and supply continuity. The connection between batteries – lithium, lead, nickel and sodium-based – and their applications to the current EU legislation and initiatives such as the Green Deal, as well as their contribution to the EU’s decarbonisation goals, is a red thread throughout the new website.
Fronius opened the doors to its Technology Centre in Milton Keynes to unveil the latest innovative charging technology for intralogistics, as it hosted its fifth Open House. Fronius has recognised the increasing demand for electric forklift trucks for challenging heavy-duty applications. The battery charging specialist is expanding its Selective 4.0 product family to include powerful 96V and 120V models in order to help customers switch to sustainable, electric intralogistics systems for transporting high-tonnage goods.
Hoppecke battery systems safeguard subway trains in the London Underground. With the development of an innovative and modular battery kit concept, Hoppecke offers an on-board battery solution tailored to the challenges of rail vehicle manufacturers and operators of metros. With a fully integrated battery system that is equally standardised and optimally matched to the application, the company is following an important trend in the railway industry: the development towards a standardised approach for interchangeable battery systems that can fulfil a specific load profile suitable for the application and operating conditions.
Whether diesel, LPG or electric, it’s great to see the range of power sources on the market.
George Simpson
Features Editor
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