What to Expect When You Convert to Lithium-Ion Forklift Batteries

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.

CARB Forklift Regulations: Know Before You Buy

Across the U.S., approximately 60% of material handling operations use electric forklifts. But in California, it could soon be 100%.

Proposed regulations from The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will eventually phase out internal combustion (IC) forklifts. Operations will gradually retire any IC forklifts in their fleet, and the sale and purchase of used Spark-Ignited forklifts in California would be prohibited starting January 1, 2026.

Read on to learn about:

  • Pending regulations from CARB
  • Incentives for using electric equipment
  • When to choose a gas or propane forklift vs. electric

When to Lease Vs Buy an Electric Forklift - 3 Questions to Ask

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?

Forklift Review: Toyota Electric Stand-Up  Rider

*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 to Buy a 3-Wheel Forklift vs. Stand-Up Forklift

A question we hear fairly often is, “should I buy a 3-wheel or a stand-up forklift?” The price range for these two products is similar, $30,000- $40,000. Both forklifts are:

  • An excellent value for the money
  • Have a low-maintenance AC motors 
  • and have a max lift height of 23 feet. 

So how do you choose the best lift truck for your operation?

In this article, we’ll compare Toyota's Stand-up Rider Forklift (8BNCU15 8BNCU18 and 8BNCU20) to Toyota's 3-Wheel Electric Forklift (8FBE15U-20U, 8FBES15U and 8FBEH18U) so you can make an informed buying decision.

Forklifts for Food Processing and Warehousing


Fast turnaround, frequent wash-downs, cold storage and corrosive fluids are just a few reasons food processing facilities and warehouses require superior material handling equipment. Sub-standard or unreliable machines can cause spoiled product, lost productivity and expensive repairs.

Downtime is something every material handling operation wants to avoid, but for food processing operations downtime is a dirty word. In today’s article, we’ll look at some of the best material handling equipment available for:
- commercial food processing
- cold storage warehouses
- food and beverage material handling

3 Reasons to Lease vs. Buy an Electric Forklift


When you lease an electric forklift:

  • You get the exact equipment you need 
  • Your monthly payment is lower than a loan payment
  • You don't have to buy a replacement battery

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.

Charge Up, Get Paid and Help Clean Our Air: The Easy Way To Cash in on CARB LCFS Credits

Electric Forklift Incentives

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:

  • Help businesses offset charging and maintenance costs
  • and fund the purchase of new, zero-emission equipment.

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.

How to Buy the Right Electric Forklift Battery

The alternate title of this post could be, “how to avoid paying double for your forklift battery.” When uninformed buyers choose a cheap battery with no warranty, they inevitably end up buying a second battery - the right battery - a short while later.

Before you spend a few thousand dollars on a battery, take a few moments to learn how to choose the right battery for your forklift and important questions to ask.

Review: Toyota 3-Wheel Electric Forklift

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:

Benefits of Planned Maintenance for Electric Forklifts


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.

Should You Buy an LP Forklift or an Electric Forklift?

 Both liquified petroleum (LP) forklifts and electric forklifts offer a cleaner, quieter alternative to gas or diesel-powered lift trucks. So which is better?

- Some applications, like food, pharmaceutical or underground facilities are required to use electric forklifts. Electric forklifts also have a lower cost of ownership in the long term.
- On the other hand, propane forklifts can be used indoors or outdoors, and changing tanks is easier than changing a forklift battery.

Read on to read a complete list of the major pros and cons of electric vs. propane forklifts.

8 Money-Saving Reasons to Run an Eco-Friendly Facility

Green logistics and sustainable warehouse best practices aren’t just good for the environment, they’re good for business. Lowering your energy bills and minimizing waste can also increase profit margins.

Implementing sustainable business practices is easier than you may think. Here's how you can earn more green by going green:

How to Improve Electric Forklift Battery Life

There’s no denying the popularity of electric forklifts.  
Compared to a diesel or LPG forklift, electric lift trucks:
 - Can cost less to maintain 
- Take up less space (no need to store tanks of propane or diesel)
- Have a smaller carbon footprint
- Are less noisy

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.

Review: Toyota Electric Pneumatic Forklift


Product Name:  Electric Pneumatic Forklift (EPF)
Manufacturer: Toyota
Lift Capacity:  4000-11,000 lbs.
Notable feature(s):  (SAS) System of Active Stability, available in 36, 48, 80-volt variants
Price Range: $20k - $80K
Value for the money: Excellent

Best for: Toyota's rugged Electric Pneumatic Forklift is made for outdoor applications such as agriculture, brick, block, concrete, lumber, pipe and many more. Because it runs on clean power, the truck can also be used indoors and is adaptable for a variety of different operation sizes. 

Not recommended for:  In a large yard where the forklift operates remotely, valuable time can be lost bringing the truck in to swap batteries. 

Toyota Heavy Duty | High Capacity | Indoor Forklifts

Toyota’s Heavy Duty forklift power is now available indoors. With up to 100,000 lb. capacity on IC models and 40,000 lb. for electric, these tough customers can lift and move just about anything: auto parts, huge paper rolls, steel and other raw materials.

Built with a heavy steel cross supports, impact resistant side thrusters and a heavy duty planetary drive axel, the THDC Line doesn’t flinch. Load-sensing hydraulics and engine management systems ensure your forklift can rise to meet any challenge.

When to Use an Electric Vs. Propane Forklift


Choosing the best forklift for your business isn’t easy, even for experienced buyers. You have to decide between new vs. used, Toyota vs. the other guys, and of course fuel type.

One of the more common questions we get from forklift buyers is, “should I go with an electric or LP forklift?”
  • Both are clean and quiet compared to gas or diesel
  • Electric forklifts cost more upfront but have a lower cost of ownership overall
  • Changing a propane tank is easier than changing a battery, but electric battery tech has come along way. Many two-shift operations only need one battery

So which one is better? It all depends on your operation...

Forklifts and Cold Storage - What You Need to Know


Every material handling operation has its difficulties, but cold storage and perishable logistics applications are especially challenging.  Opportunities for catastrophic product loss happen every moment of every day.

Temperature variations can cause unwanted discoloration, microbial growth, and spoiled product. But goods can’t stay in climate-controlled cold storage indefinitely. At some point, the product must be transferred quickly to or from a refrigerated vehicle for transport. Finding tough, reliable material handling equipment that can withstand constant temperature changes is a common problem in cold storage applications.

Success in the perishable goods industry requires both expertise and an eye for innovation. Businesses need to gain a competitive edge, but choosing the wrong cold storage warehouse equipment can be a million dollar mistake.

Review: Toyota Mid Electric Forklift

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

Forklift Battery Types and Battery Changers

Most forklifts come with a standard flat plate battery. You may be wondering if a waterless battery or tubular plate battery would service your operational needs better. In this post, we’ll review the pros and cons of different types of forklift batteries. We’ll also go over a few ways multi-shift operations can save time (and therefore money) changing out batteries between shifts.

Forklift Batteries: Conventional Vs. Fast Vs. Opportunity Charging

What's the difference between the conventional method of charging a forklift battery versus fast-charging and opportunity charging? G enerally speaking, conventional charging is best for single-shift operations. Multi-shift facilities can save time and money with fast or opportunity charging. In this post, we’ll review the pros and cons of each method and special considerations like truck modifications and the cost of new chargers. 

Popular Posts

Recent Posts