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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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