LPG -v- Electric Forklifts in the case of Material Handling. And the winner is…

LPG -v- Electric Forklifts in the case of Material Handling. And the winner is…

Don’t just do things because it’s the way it has always been done.

It’s a philosophy we take seriously at Sirus Mining Solutions and Hyundai Forklifts Mackay.

We know, from the solutions we find for our clients, that old habits given up, give way for innovation and best practice.

Take the warehousing and materials handling industry.

If we have heard it once we have heard it a million times, that people in the warehousing and materials handling game – particularly here in Mackay – prefer LPG over electric forklifts.

When we ask them we get a time-honoured, “it’s just what we prefer” without too much more substantial reasoning.

But think about this: Electric forklifts are better – pretty much across the board.

And we are not just saying that.

We’re not talking diesel here; you can’t use those inside a warehouse anyway, but inside, the argument for the electric wins, hands-down.

So, let’s compare apples with apples.

Hyundai have done a lot of research into this and the figures speak for themselves.

Be it in safety, reliability, environmental credentials, operator ease of use, or efficiency – the electric models are streets ahead in a materials handling setting.

And, then there is the all-important cost. The upfront cost is always what people balk at. And, absolutely, an electric model is going to set you back more upfront than the LPG models.

But that’s where the savings of LPG end – you could say the buck literally stops there!

In less than five years – possibly less time than it takes to pay the machine off or, at least, clock up enough depreciation to write home about – the electric model will have saved you more than what you’d have saved by buying a cheaper LPG machine.

Did you read that right?

In the (not so) long run, the electric models are cheaper!

No smoke and mirrors. It’s all based on a bit if simple maths.

We’ll compare the 2 tonne LPG forklift truck with the electric 2 tonne machine. Both are 2,000kg machines at 500mm load centre.

First of all, if you’re running a two-and-a-half tonne machine, chances are it’s surplus to your needs.

For the sake of “just in case” you’re burning fuel and cash unnecessarily – so before you do anything, get that right, first!

So, let’s cut straight to the dollar figures:

You’re looking at about $10k more in initial outlay for an electric machine, when you’re comparing base models.

But now for the fuel costs. Keep in mind, this is including all gas and power usage and energy costs, batteries and every facet of the cost of fuelling these machines.

The facts speak for themselves: The LPG model is fuelled at a cost of $9,100 a year. The electric model will set you back $780 a year.

There is no digit missing there, either.

So, that alone pretty well stacks up when it comes to overall cost.

Every aspect of the operation of these electric forklifts is more controlled and it can be specifically tailored to your workshop manager’s exact needs. It tuns on a dime, with a tighter turning circle than most of its LPG counterparts.

Customisation is what it’s all about, and although you’ll always find a cowboy, this is one of the best machines for minimising driver error and maximising their safety and efficiency; and with that, your peace of mind is assured

You can find all the other facts and figures here but if you’re basing an argument on cost alone, then there is a pretty clear winner.