As California—along with several other states—turn up the heat on zero-emissions solutions for the transportation industry, warehouse operators are seeking innovative ideas to reduce their environmental footprint. One solution? Taking their warehouse fleets electric by investing in electric forklifts, electric pallet jacks, electric pallet stackers, electric order pickers, and electric reach trucks.

We’ll take a look at the latest trends in electrified warehouse fleets, starting with electric forklifts, which offer a near-instant reduction in a warehouse’s carbon footprint.

The Rise of Electric Forklifts

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fewer pounds of carbon

It’s a startling number: 120,000 fewer pounds of carbon emissions per 10,000 hours of use. That’s how much one electric forklift can reduce a warehouse’s carbon footprint, as compared to an internal combustion unit.

 

With that number in mind, it’s easy to see why many warehouse operations are switching over to electric-battery forklifts.

Of course, as with every business decision, swapping over to electric forklifts comes with its own list of pros and cons. If you’re considering electrifying your warehouse fleet, you might find this list useful as you look for greener warehouse solutions.

 

Electric Forklift Adoption: The Pros

Replacing diesel or LP gas forklifts with electric-battery ones offers warehouse operators several upsides, including:

Electric Forklift Adoption: The Cons

On the flip side, there are a few drawbacks to converting over to electric forklifts, including:

Both electric walkie pallet jacks and electric rider pallet jacks are available to suit a variety of warehouse operations. The walkie models have a lower capacity (~4,500 lbs.), and are better suited for smaller warehouses. For buildings with a larger footprint—and a need for greater lifting capacity—rider models can accommodate a standing passenger and can lift up to ~8,000 lbs.

 

Electric Pallet Stackers, Reach Trucks & Order Pickers

Whether you need to lift and maneuver pallets at ground level, stack them on shelves up to 8 feet high, or lift a human into the shelves to retrieve an order, manufacturers have created a whole roster of electric tools to assist.

In the below video, you’ll see a Toyota electric order picker in action:

 

Electric Solutions for Reducing Your Footprint

As warehouse operators look for ways to reduce their environmental impact, an electrified warehouse fleet of electric forklifts, electric pallet jacks, electric pallet stackers, electric order pickers, and electric reach trucks offers a powerful solution for immediately reducing emissions. The additional benefits—including lower maintenance costs, maneuverability, and a quiet working environment—could encourage conversion sooner rather than later—a win for warehouse operators and the environment alike.

Interested in more green transportation solutions? Check out our articles on:

 

Industry Update
The Rise of Electric Semis, Trucks, and Vans
Clean Air Initiatives
Laws Impacting the Transportation Industry
Green Trucking
Spotlight on Hydrogen-Powered Trucks

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