Forklift Power Sources

There’s much to consider when evaluating power sources. Are you using the most efficient source for your fleet? Are regulations pressuring you to re-evaluate? With so many new technologies, is it time to modernize? The following tool can provide some insight.

	EMISSION	SPACE REQUIREMENT	MAINTENANCE	LOCAL UTILITY REQUIREMENTS	REQUIRED OPERATOR INVOLVEMENT	power impact on productivity
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS	No harmful emissions; only water vapor and heat	Space-efficient infrastructure; storage can be located outside facility with dispensers located indoors or outdoors	Moderate maintenance requirements	None, though refueling system may have requirements	Simple, fast refueling	Consistent power delivery until full depletion
LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES	No harmful emissions	No specialized changing or maintenance rooms required	No maintenance or equalization required	More intense electrical grid burden, depending on fleet size and charge intervals.	Designed for opportunity charging; faster recharge capability than lead acid	Consistent power delivery until full depletion
Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL)	No harmful emissions	No specialized changing or maintenance areas required	No maintenance required, fast equalization	Moderate electrical requirements, depending on fleet size	Designed for opportunity charging, faster recharge than traditional lead acid	Slight power output decline as charge depletes
LEAD ACID BATTERIES	None while in operation, but does emit fumes that require ventilation during battery charging	Separate room, infrastructure often required for battery charging, changing and maintenance	Higher maintenance requirements compared to other electric options	Moderate electrical requirements, depending on fleet size	Complex and time-consuming battery maintenance, charging or changing	Diminishing power output as battery charge depletes
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE	Emissions while in operation. Well-suited for outdoor or properly ventilated environments	Primary fueling and storage infrastructure located outside facility	Requires regular, but not daily, maintenance	None	Simple, fast refueling with tank changes or pump	Consistent power delivery until full depletion

	EMISSION	SPACE REQUIREMENT	MAINTENANCE	LOCAL UTILITY REQUIREMENTS	REQUIRED OPERATOR INVOLVEMENT	power impact on productivity
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS	No harmful emissions; only water vapor and heat	Space-efficient infrastructure; storage can be located outside facility with dispensers located indoors or outdoors	Moderate maintenance requirements	None, though refueling system may have requirements	Simple, fast refueling	Consistent power delivery until full depletion
LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES	No harmful emissions	No specialized changing or maintenance rooms required	No maintenance or equalization required	More intense electrical grid burden, depending on fleet size and charge intervals.	Designed for opportunity charging; faster recharge capability than lead acid	Consistent power delivery until full depletion
THIN PLATE PURE LEAD (TPPL)	No harmful emissions	No specialized changing or maintenance areas required	No maintenance required, fast equalization	Moderate electrical requirements, depending on fleet size	Designed for opportunity charging, faster recharge than traditional lead acid	Slight power output decline as charge depletes
LEAD ACID BATTERIES	None while in operation, but does emit fumes that require ventilation during battery charging	Separate room, infrastructure often required for battery charging, changing and maintenance	Higher maintenance requirements compared to other electric options	Moderate electrical requirements, depending on fleet size	Complex and time-consuming battery maintenance, charging or changing	Diminishing power output as battery charge depletes
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE	Emissions while in operation. Well-suited for outdoor or highly ventilated environments	Primary fueling and storage infrastructure located outside facility	Requires regular, but not daily, maintenance	None	Simple, fast refueling with tank charges or pump	Consistent power delivery until full depletion

While others may have limited options based on their own capabilities, Hyster doesn’t, thanks to our extensive line of trucks available with a wide variety of power options. Explore the benefits of each option and consider the impact they can make on your operation.