The Benefits of Electric Forklifts
The forklift industry continues to make strides towards sustainability. Although gas-powered forklifts will not be going anyway anytime soon, electric forklifts are growing in popularity worldwide.
To help you decide whether an electric forklift is right for your workplace, we have listed several of their benefits.
Zero Carbon Emissions
The environment is a huge topic of conversation. With a growing number of eco-conscious consumers, it has never been more important to look towards zero-carbon solutions in both home and work environments. By choosing to buy an electric forklift, you will be helping to reduce carbon emissions, whilst also establishing your business as an environmentally conscious one.
Reduced carbon emissions also mean that will you require no or less warehouse heating, as doors will not need to be left open for ventilation.
Cheap Operating Costs
Beyond providing an eco-friendlier alternative, electric forklifts have many other advantages over their gas-powered counterparts. Notably, whilst the initial cost of a new electric forklift is typically higher because the battery and charger are bought upfront, there are no fuel costs. The cost of electricity to recharge the battery and water to top it up is a fraction of diesel or LPG fuel costs.
As well as being cheaper to power, electric forklifts require fewer parts and are less likely to need regular oil changes. With there being fewer moving parts, the servicing and parts required are also much cheaper and easier to remove or install; therefore, you will be less likely to have to cough up for expensive repairs.
Easy to Drive
Electric forklifts do not have a clutch; instead, they are simply operated using a steering wheel and an accelerator. The overall experience of driving electric has been said to reduce stress on the operator, which is much better for onsite safety.
Equally, as they are easier to drive than gas-powered forklifts, they reduce avoidable accidents in the workplace. This is particularly important given that the forklift industry is always looking for ways to reduce the risk of accidents. On average, one person is killed every 6 weeks in an accident involving a forklift in the UK.
Improved Manoeuvrability
Most electric forklifts are lightweight, making them ideal for small facilities and/or tightly packed warehouses. Their smaller chassis compared with an engine forklift mean that they have a smaller turning circle, which in turn improves manoeuvrability.
Bonus: some electric forklifts can even be used in the rain!
If you are looking for a way to make your workplace more sustainable or you would simply like to try out a different type of forklift, stay ahead of the curve and check out our premium range of electric forklifts.
