Decoding the Distinctions Between Lithium-ion and Lead-Acid Batteries in Electric Forklifts

As the forklift industry in our country surpasses expectations and demonstrates outstanding performance in various products and domestic as well as international markets, the surge in electric forklifts is notably significant. Amidst the challenges posed by the escalating energy crisis, environmental pressures, and the emerging opportunities fueled by developments in new energy vehicles and the maturation of lithium battery technology, lithium battery forklifts are poised for substantial growth within this expansive market. So, what sets lithium batteries apart from lead-acid batteries for electric forklifts? Which one stands out? The distinctive features are outlined below:

1. **Environmentally Friendly and Reliable:**

   - Lithium-ion batteries, unlike large batteries such as lead-acid and nickel-cadmium, are free from environmentally polluting elements like cadmium, lead, and mercury.

   - During charging, they exhibit no "hydrogen evolution" phenomenon seen in lead-acid batteries, and they do not corrode wire terminals or battery boxes.

   - Lithium iron phosphate batteries boast a lifespan of 5 to 10 years, devoid of memory effect, eliminating the need for frequent replacements.

2. **Unified Charging and Discharging Ports:**

   - The use of the same port and Anderson plug (Rema Electric forklift battery power connector, Forklift Battery Charger Connector, Forklift Charger Battery Connector Charging Plug) for charging and discharging resolves the significant safety issue of forklifts being incapacitated during charging due to different ports.

3. **Intelligent Battery Management System (BMS):**

   - Lithium-ion battery packs feature an intelligent BMS that automatically cuts off the main circuit in response to faults like low battery power, short circuits, overcharge, and high temperature.

   - The BMS triggers sound and light alarms (buzzer and display), functions absent in traditional lead-acid batteries.

4. **Triple Safety Protection:**

   - Implementing intelligent monitoring and protection devices between batteries, the battery's internal total output, and the bus's total output ensures real-time monitoring and cutoff protection in specific circumstances.

5. **Integration into IoT Systems:**

   - Lithium-ion batteries seamlessly integrate into the vast Internet of Things system, providing timely notifications regarding maintenance or replacement needs and automating data on factory entry, charge-discharge cycles, and more.

6. **Fast Charging Capability:**

   - For specialized industries like airports and large warehousing and logistics centers, lithium-ion batteries support "fast charging mode," enabling a full charge during lunch breaks, ensuring continuous operation of forklifts when fully loaded.

7. **Maintenance-Free and Automatic Recharge:**

   - Lithium-ion batteries, once self-packaged, eliminate the need for special water injection or regular discharge.

   - Constant-time active balancing technology reduces on-site personnel workload, resulting in significant labor cost savings.

In reality, lead-acid batteries have historically been the preferred choice in the intralogistics industry due to their low procurement costs. Nevertheless, ongoing enhancements in lithium-ion batteries, coupled with reduced production costs, prompt industry professionals to reconsider their preferences. An increasing number of customers are now relying on forklifts equipped with advanced lithium-ion technology to efficiently manage their intralogistics tasks.