---
title: Benefits of Lithium Powered Forklifts and Lithium Ion Pallet Jacks
description: Lithium ion forklift batteries don't require watering and can last two full shifts. Learn about the benefits of converting to lithium powered forklifts
---

[MidColumbia Forklift Blog ](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog)

# [Benefits of Lithium Powered Forklifts and Lithium Ion Pallet Jacks](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/convert-to-lithium-ion-forklifts)

 Written by [Ricky Dunn](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/author/ricky-dunn) | September 20, 2024 at 1:18 PM

If you’re currently using forklifts and other material handling equipment powered by lead acid batteries, switching to lithium-ion batteries can help you:

- Save money
- Enhance safety
- Reclaim space in your facility
- Free up operator time

Though they cost more than lead-acid batteries up front, lithium-ion batteries last longer and pay for themselves in 2-5 years. Here’s what to expect when you switch from lead acid to lithium-ion batteries and how to make the transition as smooth as possible.

## Lead Acid vs. Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lead acid batteries are like a toddler. You have to change them every day and sometimes you have to clean crud off of them.

Lithium-ion batteries:

- Don’t require maintenance
- Have longer run-times 
- Can be discharged to 20% (compared to 30-50% for lead acid)
- Are designed for opportunity charging
- Don’t need to be swapped between shifts
- Don’t need to be watered

## Why Use Lithium-Ion Forklifts?

### Buy Fewer Batteries

If you run a multi-shift operation, you may have two or even three batteries per truck. With lithium-ion, the battery stays in the forklift all the time. A lithium-ion battery can last up to two shifts on a single charge and you can opportunity charge them without damaging the battery. 

Lithium-ion batteries also have a longer lifespan than lead acid. If you’re currently getting three years out of your lead acid battery, a lithium battery will last six years at least, up to eight or even 12 years.

### Save Money

In addition to buying fewer batteries, your energy usage will decrease. Lithium-ion batteries use 30-50% less energy than lead acid because of their longer runtime. 

The average warehouse [spends 15% of its operating budget](https://ouc.bizenergyadvisor.com/article/warehouses) on energy costs. Reducing that amount by even a percentage point or two will benefit your bottom line.

Lastly, you can reassign team members who currently swap and maintain batteries to more fruitful tasks.

### Reclaim Space

Because lithium-ion batteries don’t need to be watered or swapped, you can reclaim the space you currently use for battery charging, changing and maintenance.

### ROI in 2-5 Years

Lithium-ion batteries typically pay for themselves in 2-5 years. If you run a multi-shift operation, that timeframe will be 2-3 years. For single-shift operations it can take up to five years. 

If your current fleet is mostly diesel, gas or LP forklifts, you can recoup your lithium-ion investment even faster. Learn more about how to [get paid for switching to electric equipment](https://www.midcoforklift.com/clean-fuel-credits-in-washington). 

## Converting From Lead Acid to Lithium-Ion — What to Expect

Your existing electric forklifts can be converted to lithium-ion forklifts in three steps. The technician will:

- Remove the lead-acid battery
- Put in a lithium-ion battery of the same voltage
- Add extra ballast and a charge meter

### Facility Changes

As mentioned above, you don’t need a dedicated space for battery charging or swapping when you use lithium-ion batteries. Instead, you can put chargers wherever it's convenient — on a wall, a post or set up a charging rack. Supervisors and operators might have good ideas about charger placement. 

When deciding how many chargers you need, consider:

- The number of forklifts operating at any given time 
- Typical usage patterns
- Lithium-ion batteries are designed to be charged in 10-20 minute bursts

### Procedural Changes

Operators accustomed to forklifts with lead-acid batteries need to know a few things: 

First, they’ll get **consistent power throughout the shift**. There’s no drop in performance as battery power declines. Operating a lithium-powered forklift will feel more like operating a propane forklift.

Second, operators will need guidance on your **new charging procedure**s. Charging a lithium-ion forklift or pallet jack is easy, you just plug it in. *Remembering *to charge the equipment during breaks and between shifts is the biggest adjustment. Posting reminders on brightly colored paper near the time clock is a simple solution.

## Lithium-Ion Batteries for Forklifts and Pallet Jacks

MidCo Power offers powerful, affordable lithium-ion batteries for:

- Forklifts
- Pallet jacks
- Automated guided vehicles (AGVs)
- Aerial equipment
- Floor scrubbers/sweepers
- Golf carts
- Utility vehicles 

We can also make custom battery packs for whatever you need. Customers love our Universal Lithium Battery Supply (ULBS) [battery packs](https://www.midcoforklift.com/ulbs-battery). They’re made by CATL, the [battery supplier for Ford and Tesla](https://www.barrons.com/articles/tesla-stock-price-today-e23d5631), among others. The batteries are durable, reliable and built to last — with zero cell failures to date.

Mid Columbia Forklift and MidCo Power can help you make the transition to lithium-ion as easy and affordable as possible, including [taking](https://www.midcoforklift.com/clean-fuel-credits-in-washington)[ advantage of government incentives](https://www.midcoforklift.com/clean-fuel-credits-in-washington).

Please contact us [online](https://www.midcoforklift.com/contact) or by phone with any questions you may have. We’re also happy to refer you to clients who've used our services.

**Auburn** 253-854-5438  
**Pasco** 509-547-7413  
**Wenatchee** 509-663-9009  
**Yakima** 509-457-5137

**Further Reading**  
[Guide to Forklift Battery Types](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/guide-to-forklift-battery-types)  
[What Is Opportunity Charging and Is It Right For Your Electric Forklift](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/opportunity-charging-for-electric-forklift-batteries)?   
[When to Repair Vs. Replace Your Forklift Battery](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/forklift-battery-repair-seattle-yakima-wenatchee-tri-cities) 

[View full post](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/convert-to-lithium-ion-forklifts)

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