The global forklift market was valued at $55.9 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of $97.7bn by 2030 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 7.2% between 2023 and 2030, according to Vantage Market Research. Over 60% of forklifts purchased today are electric, reflecting a growing trend in the materials handling sector. Moreover, recent technological advancements, including higher voltage, modern drive systems and fast, high frequency charging stations, have propelled electric forklifts to outperform their internal combustion counterparts.
This article was first published in the November 15th 2024 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
Espex Batteries’ ORC system is the lead-acid forklift battery that allows for opportunity rapid recharging, adding an unprecedented degree of flexibility and practicality to warehouse operations across the country.
Already extensively tested by CEIL in India, the ORC (Opportunity Rapid Charge) concept was soft-launched by Espex back in 2019 and has since undergone rigorous ‘real world’ testing here in the UK in order to prove its performance in a variety of potential warehousing situations. The results of this lengthy program of intensive product testing show: performance, with rapid energy rollover – a single battery covers up to two shifts; durability, designed and tested for 1800 cycles as per IEC/BS/EN standard; and reliability, with an easily recyclable lead-acid battery system.
Midac UK offers lead-acid batteries and chargers that provide charging flexibility, low maintenance and longer life – in fact, many of the benefits attributed to lithium batteries. Advanced battery cell chemistry, lower current resistance, intelligent chargers and monitoring systems, all work together to control battery temperature and gassing, which has revolutionised the lead-acid battery industry. This technology has improved product efficiency, and batteries require less kw/h to charge, reducing energy costs and lowering CO? emissions by as much as 50%.
As we continue to transition towards sustainable energy solutions, we must also think about how to minimise potential adverse environmental impacts of those solutions and identify opportunities to maximise value from existing assets. Nissan and Ecobat Solutions UK Ltd are investigating how batteries from end-of-life EVs can be recovered and then be safely removed, repaired, recycled, or repurposed. At Ecobat’s Darlaston base, near Birmingham, batteries are repurposed for second life applications such as emergency power backup and power balancing, and mobile power charging systems.
This year, for the first time, Hoppecke were assessed by the “Top Employer Institute”. The company’s Human Resources strategies and practices in the areas of talent development, management culture, remuneration and benefits as well as working conditions were thoroughly assessed. As a certified Top Employer, Hoppecke is now one of the leading German employers.
As the forklift market is set for sustained growth, the power sources market will inevitably grow with it.
George Simpson
Features Editor
Comments are closed.