Electrifying Efficiency

It could be a sign of what’s to come nationwide.

In June of this year, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) passed a new regulation that will phase out the operation of large spark-ignited (LSI) forklifts in California and spur the use of zero-emissions alternatives. Under the rule, manufacturers cannot produce or sell, for use in California, Class IV and Class V LSI forklifts – categories that largely operate on propane, gasoline and natural gas – beginning in 2026.

John Faulkner, president, Industrial Forklifts, the western U.S. master distributor for the Heli forklift brand, pointed out that the Heli product line is already powered by lithium batteries.

The advantages of lithium batteries, Faulkner noted, include emissions- and maintenance-free operation and a run time of eight to 15 hours depending on battery size. In addition, with a charging time of two to three hours, a one-hour charge per eight-hour shift keeps the battery at 100% capacity.

“Battery powered forklifts generate no emissions, very little noise and no vibration,” said Mike Rae, product manager, truck-mounted forklifts, at Hiab. “While the initial investment is higher, owners will enjoy lower maintenance costs due to less filters, fluids, and components, as well as lower repair costs with less leak points and a lower pressure hydraulic system. While electricity costs vary by region, it costs between half and one third to power an electric forklift compared to a similar diesel-powered model.”

Lee Tice, JCB product manager for the manufacturer’s 505-20E compact telehandler, noted how a quiet machine with no exhaust is ideal for work where emissions might pose health hazards or raise objections. Examples include basements, enclosed warehouses, tunnels, food processing plants, hospitals, airport terminals, retail environments, museums and theme parks.

“For some government contracts and publicly funded projects that track ESG (environment, social and governance) scores,” Tice added, “the environmental benefits of low-carbon machines may help you win bids and boost your company’s environmental credentials.”

“Maintenance-free batteries result in considerably lower operating costs than similar-sized diesel, gasoline or propane machines,” related James Gill, JCB product manager for the company’s 66-40E Teletruk. “That is primarily because the cost of electricity is a fraction of what you would pay for traditional fossil fuels given an equivalent amount of work.

“Batteries also cut ownership costs by eliminating the manpower, downtime and cost of servicing an internal combustion engine, which is the most maintenance-intensive part of any piece of equipment,” Gill said.

Dali Ribeiro, director of product management — telehandlers at JLG, pointed out that because low-horsepower engines typically power compact telehandlers and generally have lighter-duty cycles, they are ideal candidates for alternative power solutions, like lithium-ion batteries and electric motors, that don’t compromise performance.

“Electric-powered telehandlers provide a zero-emission, reduced-noise solution with the added benefits of reduced maintenance and ease of serviceability,” Ribeiro said. “While the acquisition price of electric machines is still a premium over internal combustion models, customers can expect to realize an improvement in their total cost of ownership with electric equipment.”

Electric Roundup

Heli offers a range of 3,000- through 22,000-pound capacity electric forklifts that feature dual drive AC or AC/Mosfet motors and ZAPI or Curtis controllers. Depending on the model, the machines have intelligent stabilization and speed limiting systems, and active safety protection systems that slow down and implement the parking brake when critical components are out of order. Optional on-board chargers are available as well.

JLG offers the E313 electric model designed with maintenance-free 48V lithium-ion batteries that can provide up to four hours of continuous operation, depending on the application. The machine can be charged from either a 110- or 220-volt power source in 11 to 12 hours or two to three hours, respectively.

JLG’s E313 model also has integrated battery heaters that activate to ensure batteries reach the required temperature and regenerative braking systems that generate power back into the batteries while minimizing brake wear.

Hiab USA offers the E4, E5 and E8 models of ENX Series all-electric truck mounted forklifts. The machines feature independent all-wheel drive with feedback, which means drive tires do not rely on other tires having traction to generate obstacle-climbing torque.

The Hiab models also have column-shifted, one-pedal drive operation controls to automatically slow the drive speed as steering angles increase. Additionally, the series is equipped with the company’s HiConnect telematics data solution to help optimize operator, equipment and fleet performance.

JCB offers two different models of electric forklifts including the lithium-ion battery-powered 505-20E Compact Telehandler. As part of JCB’s E-Tech lineup of battery-electric machines, the 505-20E’s 24 kWh lithium-ion batteries provide a full day of work on a single charge using 110V/220V on-board charger receptacles. For rapid recharging, a separate JCB fast sharger system can be used to extend the working range of the machine.

The JCB 66-40E teletruk with a lead acid battery also provides up to a full shift of power based on a typical duty cycle on a single charge. It is fitted with an 80V, 625 amp-hour battery. Mounted to the rear of the cab, the battery also serves as a counterweight and increases the Teletruk’s lift capacity to 6,600 pounds.

 The JMG Cranes MC100.08 is a modular machine that can be equipped with three different detachable booms. The frame of the MC100.08 is extendable, similar to other models from the company with rear steering and ballast and the battery compartment at the front. The top of the frame hosts a special cradle with the lifting cylinder and a base arm that serves as a coupling for the different booms.

The Manitou MRT 2260 E is an electric rotating telehandler with a maximum capacity of 13,228 pounds. The machine is powered by a lithium-ion battery and can be equipped with a second battery for autonomous operations or a range extender. The telehandler also has an opportunity charging capability for partial and frequent recharging of the battery.