Coming Clean on Lift Truck Power

Today, when it comes to choosing a lift truck energy solution, it is no longer as simple as ICE or electric. With multiple existing and emerging options for providing motive power to industrial lift trucks, it is important for purchasers to become aware of the alternatives and to understand the trade-offs between the competing technologies.

When choosing an energy technology, lift truck buyers will want to consider basic parameters such as cost, performance, application, operational benefits, environmental impact, regulatory compliance and the rapid rate of technological change, both as it relates to new capabilities as well as to potential obsolescence. When considering true environmental impact, it is useful to consider the total supply chain from the energy source to the point of use: the so-called “well-to-wheel” model.

Green Power: A New Mandate

With the green movement taking root, major corporations are devoting significant resources to calculating and reducing their carbon footprint through activities related to recycling, reducing waste, conserving energy and adopting cleaner energy and processes. Wal-Mart's recent announcement to develop a sustainable product index based on the total product lifecycle is a harbinger of the attention focused on energy use.

With the rising levels of awareness surrounding energy efficiency and economy, it is clear that several factors will determine the next step in the rapidly accelerating world of motive power technology. Cleaner fuels, cap and trade legislation, renewable energy, more efficient engines, fuel cells and advanced battery technologies are just a few drivers with the potential to usher in sweeping change over the next five to 10 years in the industrial lift truck industry.

While LPG, diesel and lead acid batteries still power the majority of North American lift truck fleets, the next decade will see new energy sources and storage devices joining the fleet, with some potential game changers waiting in the wings.

ROI and Carbon Impact

Choosing a lift truck power source requires weighing the relative importance of a number of key factors, some of which vary considerably from one power source to another. When considering costs, it is important to bear in mind the full lift truck lifecycle costs associated with the technology, namely costs associated with initial purchase, annual maintenance, consumable energy and support infrastructure, such as chargers and refueling stations. Initial costs of many new technologies may be high and early market penetration accordingly measured, but a thoughtful review of expected overall lifetime ownership cost implications gives a better perspective of eventual economics and ROI.

Environmental regulations are likely to increase in importance as a factor in the choice for a lift truck energy solution. ICE emissions, including hybrids, are regulated by the EPA and CARB, authorities which primarily focus on reducing pollution levels of particulate matter and NOx. Carbon footprinting considers the entire lifecycle impact on the environment, particularly the greenhouse gases resulting from energy consumption. A complete environmental analysis of motive power sources should consider both the implication of meeting engine emission requirements and the impact on carbon footprint.

Following the European model, a possible future cap and trade system in the U.S. may tie financial benefit directly to improvements in carbon impact. In assessing the environmental impact of an energy technology, consideration should be given both to emissions at the point of lift truck use as well as to emissions at the point of production and delivery of the energy. Although hydrogen consumption does not currently factor into a lift truck user's carbon footprint calculation, that may very well change as the regulatory environment evolves.