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Lithium-Ion Batteries

LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES


The alarming energy crisis and the shift in world climate is a clear indicator of the urgency of switching to cleaner energy sources at every level. As the future of energy storage solution, Lithium-ion battery technology provides sustainable changes in transforming our way to store and consume energy.

Lithium-ion batteries have been widely adopted in the production of electric vehicles. In the material handling market, Li-Ion batteries became popular mainly with entry level pallet trucks due to the introduction of the EPT 12EZ from EP Equipment in 2016. Since then, entry level pallet trucks are mainly produced with Li-Ion batteries, though the technology used can differ quite significantly, leading to different characteristics and safety standards. Larger equipment has been available with Li-Ion options for several years already, but at the same time it was always extremely expensive and paid off mainly in heavy duty, 3 shift application. With the development of new trucks, this obstacle can be eliminated, and all categories of material handling products can be powered by Li-Ion technology in the near future, according to EP Equipment studies.

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Lithiumion - Iron & Earth Equipment Limited

WHY LITHIUM-ION?


LONGER LIFESPAN

Lithium-ion batteries have a lifecycle of 3000 or more compared to just 500-1000 cycles in lead acid. Lithium-ion batteries generally last for several times the number of cycles as lead acid batteries, leading to a longer effective lifespan for lithium-ion products. Cycles are also counted in % of charge rather than one cycle every time you connect the battery to the charger. This means: 10% charge is 1/10 of a cycle with a Li-Ion battery, while a 10% charge at a lead acid battery is 1 full cycle.

OPPORTUNITY CHARGING

While lead acid batteries always need a full charge cycle of 8-12 hours to keep the batteries chemistry in balance, LI-Ion batteries really like opportunity charging. They can be plugged in the wall and charged for 10 minutes during a lunch break. This offers a unique way to work your shifts and reduce the overall Ah carried around in the truck.

LIGHTER WEIGHT

Lithium-ion batteries offer high power density which cause lithium-ion batteries to be relatively small and light. It is only one-third the weight of lead-acid batteries. This offers manufacturers like EP the opportunity to develop the trucks with higher standards of ergonomics, bigger legroom and better performing trucks due to the smaller size and weight of the batteries.

HIGHER EFFICIENCY

Most lithium-ion batteries are 95 percent efficient or more, meaning that 95 percent or more of the energy stored in a lithium-ion battery is actually able to be used. Conversely, lead acid batteries see efficiencies closer to 80 to 85 percent.

FASTER CHARGING

Higher efficiency batteries charge faster, improved efficiency means a higher effective battery capacity. Lithium batteries takes 2-3 hours to charge while lead acid needs 8 hours. Lithium batteries high effective capacity reduces downtime in warehouse duties.

MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

From an ecological point of view, it‘s non-toxic and harmless. Lithium batteries emit no gas so it is a much cleaner technology and is safer for the environment than lead acid.

ZERO MAINTENANCE

While lead acid batteries need special maintenance, Lithium batteries don’t require active maintenance to extend their service life. That largely eliminates the costs of battery upkeeping, maintenance and infrastructure.

CHEAPER TO RUN

Lead acid batteries may be less expensive from procurement perspectives, however, a lithium battery solution may contribute to a more cost-efficient warehouse operation in the long run:

  • Less expense and energy spent on charging batteries
  • No time and labour involved by swapping batteries
  • Less time and labour spent maintaining and watering lead acid batteries
  • Reduced waste of energy (a lead acid battery normally uses up to 50% of its energy through heat, while a lithium battery uses only up to 15%)
  • Smaller overall battery size leads to similar purchase costs and offers the same or better autonomy due to opportunity charging
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