Technology
The lithium switch in electric forklifts: what changes?
Charging time, shift planning and total cost of ownership compared with lead-acid.
Editorial teamPublished: Oct 5, 2026Updated: Oct 19, 20265 min read
Lithium-ion batteries allow opportunity charging, which can remove battery swaps in multi-shift operations. The upfront cost is higher.
Decide by shift pattern
Lead-acid can still make sense for single-shift operations with irregular breaks. In three-shift warehouses the total cost of lithium is usually lower.
Charging infrastructure, ventilation and safety training should be planned for either option.
