From Liquid Propane to Electric Lift Truck Fleet Conversion

Continually faced with the pressure to reduce costs and improve productivity, fleet managers of industrial light- and medium-duty trucks must consistently be on the lookout for a competitive edge to increase overall fleet efficiency and cost effectiveness.

With huge technological advancements and growing market acceptance, more fleet managers are making the switch from Liquid Propane (LP) gas to electric lift truck fleets.

This paper will show you, with the help of AeroVironment’s (AV ) proprietary LP Meter, how you can accurately measure the fuel use and truck activity of your existing fleet, and subsequently help you turn that into savings up to $8500/truck annually by making the transition to electric.

In a market traditionally dominated by the internal combustion engine (ICE), industrial lift truck fleets have had to adjust to compensate for rising fuel costs and stricter emissions standards.

Looking for an efficient and cost effective solution, an increasing number of companies and fleet managers have decided to make the transition to electric powered lift trucks.

Now accounting for almost 65% of the total North American forklift market, electric lift trucks have gained industry wide acceptance, demonstrating their merit in performance, utility, and reliability. Despite its growing popularity, common misconceptions revolving around equipment capability, cost, and battery/charging support persist.

However, within the last few years advancements in motor, battery, and charger technology have completely transformed the value proposition for electric powered lift trucks, enhancing vehicle performance, reliability, efficiency, and practicality.

Benefits you will see from making the switch from Liquid Propane (LP) gas to electric lift truck fleets include:

• Lower total cost of ownership
• Lower fuel costs
• Longer vehicle life
• Lower maintenance costs
• Less “refueling” down time and increased productivity
• Less noise and vibration
• Zero Emissions
• Indoor/outdoor and all weather operation