As Europe’s construction sector continues to grow - up 5.9% in 2024 and projected to rise another 5.4% in 2025 - demand for building materials is surging. From bricks and blocks to precast concrete, pipes, and beams, the pressure is on for manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers to move more materials, more efficiently, and with lower emissions.
Electric forklifts are emerging as a powerful solution. Thanks to advancements in lithium-ion battery technology, high-capacity electric lift trucks now offer the performance needed for demanding building materials applications, without the exhaust emissions of internal combustion engines (ICE).
If you're considering electrifying your lift truck fleet, here are four key questions to help guide your decision.
1. Will electric lift trucks help us meet our zero emissions goals?
EU green targets and corporate sustainability commitments in building materials manufacturing and the wider construction industry are driving the shift toward zero-emissions equipment. High-capacity electric forklifts like the Hyster® J10-18XD series offer lift capacities from 10,000 to 18,000kg and are powered by integrated lithium-ion batteries. As a result, they can deliver ICE-like performance, handling big and heavy loads from heavy concrete blocks to bulk cement bags, but with zero exhaust emissions.
These lithium-ion high-capacity lift trucks provide a practical electric solution with a competitive total cost of ownership, and can be tailored to meet the needs of intense building materials applications
2. How easy is it to set up charging infrastructure?
For operations pursuing decarbonisation, making the transition to electric lift trucks doesn’t have to be complex. This has been central to the design process for the Hyster J10-18XD lift trucks. For instance, the forklifts share a high level of commonality with equivalent diesel Hyster models, offering operators and maintenance teams a familiar experience.
However, charging infrastructure is key, especially for larger fleets. While some planning and new electrical site infrastructure may need putting in place, the Hyster J10-18XD forklifts incorporate features to make the adoption of electric as seamless as possible. For instance, the use of the Combined Charging System (CCS) as standard.
This widely used electric vehicle charging standard enables operations to use the same type of charging connector across different types of equipment and even different regions globally. This supports both scalability and cost -effectiveness.
Each electric Hyster big truck also includes an onboard Battery Management System (BMS) that provides real-time insights into battery health and overall performance., helping optimise uptime and maintenance.
3. Can electric lift trucks match ICE productivity?
In the right applications, yes. The Hyster J10-18XD series offers configurable battery sizes up to 280kW to match duty cycle and charging requirements. With the right battery pack and charger, in a typical duty cycle a forklift can add approximately one hour of run time from 11 minutes of charging at 90 kW, helping maximise uptime.
Construction projects are usually large-scale and time-sensitive, with strict deadlines and multiple contractors working in parallel. There can be no delay when it comes to receive the building materials needed to get the job done. So, manufacturers and organisations within the supply chain depend on high productivity, and minimal downtime in materials handling operations.
These lithium-ion forklifts are designed for tough environments. Ingress Protection (IP) helps batteries and wiring withstand the demands of intense operating environments and conditions, like dust and moisture. This helps prevent unplanned downtime.
It also offers a versatile electric lift truck solution as suited to operating outdoors as indoors, ideal for handling building materials like roof tiles, insulation. Here, configurability also plays a significant role. By design, the Hyster J10-18XD series lift trucks provide high performance and reliability, suited to withstand handling large and heavy building materials. However, different battery sizes, charging options, and operator features enable the forklift to be matched further to the specific application requirements.
4. Will we maintain operator comfort and visibility?
Operator comfort and satisfaction have an impact on productivity that can’t be ignored when selecting an electric forklift fleet. The spacious cockpit-style cabin featured on the Hyster J10-18XD lift trucks is designed to support confident, comfortable operation, enabling operators to handle tasks efficiently.
For example, the cabin keeps all truck information and controls within easy reach. Meanwhile a range of seat configuration options and an adjustable control arm help keep operator fatigue to a minimum, whether they are unloading cement from pallets or stacking concrete blocks.
To support visibility, batteries are integrated into the existing Hyster high-capacity forklift truck design. This helps provide the same level of rear visibility as on most equivalent ICE models. Not only does this provide benefits for the operator experience, but it can help enhance handling accuracy. This helps to reduce product damage during handling, and the associated costs and supply disruptions.
More questions about going electric?
If you’re exploring the potential for high-capacity electric forklifts in your building materials operations, ask your dealer for more information. Or discover more about the Hyster J10-18XD lithium-ion lift truck series and how it can help you meet sustainability goals, boost productivity, and handle the toughest building materials with ease.