Why Lithium-ion?
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 consuming energy.
EP Equipment, founded in 1993, is a Hangzhou-based leading manufacturer specializing for lithium-powered warehouse equipment from product design, production, to after-sales services for material handling equipment suppliers worldwide.
See below the many benefits EP Equipment's Lithium-ion forklifts and materials handling equipment can offer.
LONGER LIFESPAN
Lithium-ion batteries have a lifecycle of 2000 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, Lithium-ion batteries really like opportunity charging. They can be plugged in the wall and charge 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.
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.
LOW MAINTENANCE
Lead-acid batteries require maintenance, such as a full charge, watering, and cooldown after charging. Lithium batteries don’t require active maintenance to extend their service life. Users can simply charge the unit during breaks, which eliminates the costs of battery upkeeping, maintenance and infrastructure.
COST EFFICIENT
Longer Lifespan = less frequent replacement of batteries
Opportunity Charging = maximize the working day (multiple shifts)
Faster Charging = less energy spent on charging batteries
Higher efficiency = more value for each $ spent on electricity
Low Maintenance = less labour spent maintaining and watering lead-acid batteries & less chance of user damage
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.
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.
IS EVERY LITHIUM BATTERY THE SAME?
Lithium-ion is named for its active materials. There are several types of chemical components to build rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The most two relevant materials to the forklift industry are Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC).
NMC technology is very well known from the car industry and other manufacturing where weight and size play a major role. The upside of NMC batteries is a high energy density and the compact size. The downside of the NMC cell is the high possibility of inflammation and explosion when punctures or overheated.
EP Equipment have switched to a LFP technology. LFP offers good electrochemical performance with low resistance. The key benefits are high current rating and long cycle life, besides good thermal stability, enhanced safety and tolerance if abused. There are many advantages to choosing an LFP-powered machine. Especially when applying on larger equipment like an electric order pickers or electric forklift trucks, the LFP battery plays out its strength—it does not catch fire or burn when punctures – it is just safe!
EP Equipment produces all its Li-Ion machines with LFP batteries to power its trucks. Li-phosphate is more tolerant to full charge conditions and is less stressed than other lithium-ion systems if kept at high voltage for a prolonged time.