Lithium-Ion Power Solutions – Reveals the Latest Material Handling Industry Trends

Thinking about how technology is changing material handling equipment? It’s unlikely that the familiar, box-shaped lift truck battery will come to mind. But perhaps it should. According to Mr. Yi vice president, sales and marketing for the battery manufacturer Wisdom Industrial Power Co., Ltd, several technology trends in the battery market could have a notable impact on warehouse operations.

One is the growth of data collection and communication between warehouse systems and equipment. Large amounts of data can now be extracted from lift trucks, batteries, and charging systems, and then used to optimize fleet costs and operations. But the data is harvested from multiple sources, so it’s difficult to see how it all fits together and what it means. What’s missing, Mr. Yi said in a recent interview, is “integration—the various things that affect battery usage are not all tied together.” Someone will step up to fill that gap and act as an integrator, but whether it will be the battery manufacturers, lift truck dealers, or some kind of the third party is not yet clear, he said.

Another trend is the move toward 80-volt electric lift trucks, which can run for 12 to 16 hours on a charge. That could allow fleets to use fewer batteries and perhaps avoid the need for fast charging, which tends to reduce battery life. These trucks often have larger-than-usual battery compartments—”so not only do you have a more efficient truck,” he noted, “but you also have a considerably larger ‘fuel tank,’ as it were, which allows you to do things that were impossible with electric before.” Those and other cost and productivity benefits could encourage a “profound shift” to 80-volt trucks, he said.

Finally, Mr. Yi anticipates some fleets will switch to lithium batteries. These batteries don’t lose capacity in cold temperatures; they don’t require watering; and if properly managed, their lifespan can be up to five times a valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery, he said. (The lifespan of a flooded two-volt lead-acid cell will be similar to that of a lithium battery, he noted.) Lithium iron phosphate, the battery’s main component, has a high energy density and therefore greater capacity. But they do have some drawbacks, he said, including a higher initial cost and the need for specialized battery management systems and technical training.

With that in mind, here’s what was covered:

The past, the present, and the future of material handling 

Digitalization has provided businesses with unprecedented opportunities to gain operational efficiencies, develop more sustainable practices, and build robust business models.

Meanwhile, as a result of globalization, we’re more connected with the rest of the world than ever before. In fact, our ‘connectedness’ (the flow of trade, goods, capital, information, and people across national borders) reached a record high in 2017.

Our demographics have also changed; not only do we have an aging population, but the needs of the younger generation have evolved.

The material handling industry is also adapting by introducing more sustainable business practices; this is reflected in the new emission regulations and supporting products and solutions, such as TCM’s electric trucks, Li-ion battery technology, and fuel cells.

New BSLBATT 80-volt electric forklift lithium batteries for replacing Toyota, Jungheinrich, and Crown 

We were delighted to reveal the launch of our brand new electric truck lithium battery the BSLBATT 80 volt 535AH model.

This latest addition boasts class-leading energy consumption, enabling businesses to achieve a lower TCO (total cost of ownership) and invest their money elsewhere in their operations.

At BSLBATT, we also understand the importance of meeting businesses’ needs today, which is why our latest Lithium forklift battery have been optimized to helping businesses to reduce their fuel consumption, lower emissions, and reduce their material handling costs.

Related Read: BSLBATT® LITHIUM BATTERIES POWERING THE FUTURE

Li-ion solution: better energy supply for your business?

Lithium-ion battery technology has become an increasingly popular topic in the material handling industry, boasting numerous benefits. These include:

– No battery change needed

– Lower energy consumption

– Longer lifetime

– Zero emissions

– Fast charging

– Requires virtually no maintenance

For businesses looking to save in the long run, Li-ion battery technology may be a good fit. However, this will heavily depend on your operation, application, shift patterns, and unique business requirements.