Impacts of Lift Truck Power Choice on Productivity and Profitability

This technical report by The Raymond Corporation examines the effects of different power sources for lift trucks in warehouse and distribution environments. It specifically focuses on the transition from traditional lead-acid batteries (LABs) to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and the associated productivity and profitability improvements. The report outlines a study conducted in collaboration with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) that demonstrates a potential productivity increase of up to 17% when using LIBs. It details the operational efficiencies gained through reduced maintenance needs and the elimination of battery swapping, which can lead to significant labor savings. The report also presents two ROI models that quantify the financial benefits of adopting LIBs over LABs, highlighting a breakeven period of 10 to 16 months and a lifetime ROI ranging from 415% to 656%. The findings suggest that transitioning to LIBs can provide substantial long-term advantages for warehouse operations.