30 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk October/November 2026 Handling & Safety Matters Focus on: Handling & Storage Not all electric forklifts are designed for the same environments and needs. Differences in battery technology, chassis design, tyre configuration, ergonomics, and maintenance requirements can all influence productivity. However, modern electric forklift design may offer operations solutions that directly address inefficiencies without requiring operators to adopt entirely new ways of working. Here are some of the hidden inefficiencies that can affect electric forklift operations, and how selecting the right battery power option can help minimise them. Choosing the right electric forklift Many organisations are already rolling out electrification strategies to support sustainability goals, reduce emissions, and align with operational requirements. However, not all electric forklifts deliver the same experience in day-to-day operation. Different electric truck architectures are designed for different applications. Some are optimised primarily for smooth indoor environments, while others are engineered to handle a broader mix of indoor and outdoor tasks. Selecting the wrong fit for the application can introduce small but frequent inefficiencies that gradually impact productivity. A hesitant manoeuvre across uneven ground. Reduced confidence in wet conditions. Slower travel speeds between buildings. Wider approaches around obstacles. Individually, these delays may seem insignificant, but multiplied across shifts, operators, and trucks, they can accumulate into substantial lost time. Understanding how an electric forklift will be used throughout the working day is therefore critical. The right truck specification can help remove these hidden delays and support a smoother, more productive workflow. Lead acid vs lithium-ion Battery technology can have a noteworthy influence on operational efficiency, and there is no one battery chemistry that is ‘better’ than another. The choice depends on the requirements of the application. For many fleets, lead-acid batteries are a well-established solution that fit well with working environments and patterns. However, this battery type requires several routine tasks and processes, like battery watering, Is it time to rethink productivity strategy with electric forklifts? In materials handling operations, inefficiency rarely presents itself as a major breakdown. More often, it emerges in small, repeated disruptions and occurrences that are easy to miss but can prove costly over time. As more businesses adopt electric forklifts, choosing the right type of electric lift truck is becoming just as important as choosing an electric power source in the first place. PWE reports.
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