Sandra Hogan examines the way the energy revolution is affecting the global materials handling market.

Thirty years ago, internal combustion engines were the norm for forklifts and the idea of converting to electricity made no sense. Propane-powered forklifts simply provided more effective, longer-lasting power than electric batteries could.

Today, electricity has won the international market for powering forklift fleets: more than 60% of forklifts sold now are electric. The victory of electric power began as the needs of the market changed. Forklifts were redeployed from their traditional outdoor use to indoor use, mostly in warehouses. The need for a quiet, safe, non-polluting option for indoor use was created.

The second factor tipping the balance to electricity was technological change. Advances in technology have been occurring rapidly since the late 1990s, when lithium-ion batteries were being developed and perfected for mobile phones, laptops and electric cars. Performance and power increased rapidly, and the price of batteries dropped by 87% between 2010 and 2019.

Battery-powered forklift fleets have now become the dominant offering in the market because:

Electricity is increasingly seen as more cost-effective.

Electric forklifts require less maintenance.

With electricity, there is no need to change gas tanks or fill onboard tanks.

Electric systems can be recharged during lunch breaks or brief breaks in production so that they run at or above 75% for three full work shifts.

Electric power is the most environmentally sustainable choice, with zero emissions.

Electric-powered forklifts eliminate the hazard of carbon monoxide poisoning and run more quietly than internal combustion engines.

Since the transition from DC to AC power drives, electric power provides the same or better level of power and performance as propane.