with lead-acid batteries: no more watering
and ventilating required. This frees up
warehouse space as well, as it also eliminates the need for a special battery room
for maintenance and charging, according
to Dr. Joachim Tödter, head of technology and innovation at material handling
equipment maker Kion Group. Tödter
adds that l-i batteries can be charged anywhere and, unlike their lead-acid counterparts, never need to be returned to a
maintenance area..
Kion is a prime example of the growing
interest in the advantages of l-i technology. Its North American group supplied
a lithium-ion–powered fleet of forklifts,
reach trucks, and tow tractors to the new
Berkeley County, S.C., Volvo plant last
year—the first of its kind in North America.
Battery maker Flux Power offers another
good example. The company announced
late last year an additional $600,000 in
purchase orders for its lithium-ion LiFT
Pack batteries for Class 3 walkie pallet
jacks. The orders come on top of previously
announced orders for $500,000 worth of
the equipment. Flux said it is increasing
production levels for the Class 3 LiFT Packs
as well as investing in research and development of its products for Class 1 and 2
lift trucks as a result of the growing interest.
COEXISTING TECHNOLOGIES
Despite their advantages and growing use,
lithium-ion batteries are not ideal for every
situation and are still quite a few years away
from widespread adoption, according to
Tödter of the Kion Group.
“Not every customer will switch to lithium-ion batteries today,” Tödter explains.
“But … the share of lithium-ion batteries
Ovan agrees, adding that lead-acid batteries are still the right solution for many
users.
