
Lithium-ion batteries revolutionized the personal electronics industry twenty years ago and now that wave of change has reached the material handling industry. Many pallet jacks and some electric forklifts now come standard with lithium-ion batteries.
Businesses in California that convert to lithium-ion-powered forklifts instantly gain an advantage over operations still using lead-acid batteries. Why? Because lithium-ion batteries significantly boost productivity while reducing downtime.
If you’re curious what it takes to swap your lead-acid forklift batteries for lithium-ion batteries, read on.
For those unsure if switching to lithium-ion is a good idea, read Is a Lithium-Ion Forklift Battery Worth the Extra Cost? or ask us for a free evaluation.
One of the many decisions you’ll make when investing in a new piece of equipment is whether to buy or lease. A big part of that decision is the forklift's battery and what it will eventually cost to replace it.
A forklift battery should last a single-shift operation for five to eight years. Proper care and maintenance can extend battery life up to ten years, but they don't last forever. The average cost to replace an industrial battery is about $6,000 (give or take $1,000). Contact your rep for a more precise quote.
If you’re unsure whether to lease or buy an electric lift truck outright, consider:
- How many hours will the forklift will be used each year?
- What is the operation’s current / future cash flow?
- Can the forklift be well-maintained by staff?
*Originally published in 2017. Toyota Material Handling plans on launching a new SR1 stand-up rider in 2022 that has a load capacity up to 5,000 lb. Learn more about electric forklift options here.
Product Name: Toyota Electric Stand Up Rider
Model Numbers: 8BNCU15-16.5, 8BNCU15-18.5, 8BNCU18-16.5, 8BNCU18-18.5, 8BNCU20-18.5, 8BNCU20-21.5
Lift Capacity: 3,000 – 4,000 lbs.
Notable feature(s): Dock-to-stock flexibility, 10 ft. narrow-aisle navigability, 36-Volt electrical system, AC drive and lift motors, side stance operation for intuitive forward and reverse travel, lift heights up to 23 feet, can support multiple shifts.
Options: integral sideshift, cold storage conditioning, reverse steering (operator facing away from forks), full free-lift 2, 3 or 4-stage mast, auto fork leveling (aka 2-way mast tilt centering), digital load weight display.
Price Range: $34k - $45k
Value for the money: Excellent
Get Paid to Go Electric
California’s Air Resource Board (CARB) provides cash incentives to businesses that choose electric material handling equipment. Read about CARB’s LCFS program.
Read on for pros and cons of Toyota's Stand-Up Rider Forklift...
When you lease an electric forklift:
Bonus: businesses in California can get paid to charge electric equipment.
Sound good? Let’s talk.
If you're unsure whether leasing an electric forklift is right for your business, read on for some important considerations.
If you own an electric forklift or other battery-powered material handling equipment, you could be earning cash back every time you charge it up. Businesses need to reduce their carbon emissions, so the California Air Resource Board (CARB) created a financial incentive program to:
Whether you already own electric material handling equipment, or you’re thinking about investing in something new, read on to find out how easy it is to get paid for charging your equipment. Or request a free estimate and find out how much you could be earning each month.
Product Name: Toyota 3 Wheel Electric Forklift
Model Numbers: 8FBE15U-20U, 8FBES15U and 8FBEH18U
Lift Capacity: 3000 - 4000 lbs.
Notable feature(s): Extreme maneuverability, standard wet disc brakes
Price Range: $27,000 - $34,000
Value for the money: Excellent
Optional Features:
Mini levers ergonomic controls
EZ Control joystick
Blue safety light for pedestrians
Rear assist grip with horn button
Best for: These forklifts are uniquely suited for narrow-aisle warehouses (or any operation with limited space) and barrel operations in wine caves. These machines can turn in less than their own length! Every winery needs one...
Not recommended for: The only downside to these lifts is that they are harder on dock leveler plates and generally require the next weight capacity up.
View current inventory:
Does it make sense to buy planned maintenance for an electric forklift? Good question.
One of the (many) reasons electric forklifts outsell diesel, or LP forklifts is because they cost less to maintain. So what are the benefits of planned maintenance for low-maintenance equipment?
First off, electric forklifts have wearable parts (tires, brakes, chains, forks, hoses) that need to be inspected and periodically replaced, just like any other forklift. Also, you can think of planned maintenance as a thorough safety check every 90 days. A factory-trained forklift technician will inspect the lift trucks’ safety features (chains, electrical system, lights), in addition to its accessories and any attachments.
The forklift technician can also confirm if the forklift’s battery is being maintained properly by operators. Last but not least, your team members can ask the technician questions and mention things they've noticed about the truck's performance.
However, proper maintenance is key to maximize the efficiency of an electric forklift. In this post, we’ll review forklift battery options (lead acid versus lithium ion), battery charging options, and other ways to improve forklift efficiency.
Product Name: Toyota Mid Electric
Manufacturer: Toyota
Lift Capacity: 4,000 -6,500
Notable feature(s): AC Drive Motor, No Tools Required Floorboard, On Demand Power Steering
Price Range: $30,000 - $45,000
Value for the money: Excellent
Options: Sideshifter, side-shifting fork positioner, cold storage package, strobe lights, travel beepers, speed limiters, rear view mirrors, non-marking tires, hydraulic hose protectors.
Best for: indoor applications, food processing, cold storage, beverage, retail, general warehousing, general manufacturing.
Not recommended for: outdoor applications, narrow aisle applications, rough terrain.
View current inventory:
Toyota Mid Electric - New
Toyota Electric Forklifts - Used
Toyota Material Handling is Northern and Central California's leading provider of Material Handling products and services.
Manufacturers:
Livermore
6999 Southfront Rd. Livermore, CA
(510) 675-0500
Sacramento
2660 Port St. West Sacramento CA
(916) 376-0500
Fresno
5809 Toyota Ave. Fresno CA
(559) 834-9500
Salinas
773 Vertin Ave. Salinas CA
(831) 757-1091