Forklifts are essential pieces of equipment in many industries, and their power source is a critical component of their operation. The most common type of forklift battery is the lead-acid battery.

Lead-Acid Batteries

Also known as “wet cell batteries,” lead-acid batteries are the most prevalent in the market. They generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between lead plates and a mixture of sulfuric acid and water.

Components

The components of lead-acid batteries include:

• Battery case
• Cells
• Bars
• Plates of lead dioxide
• Cables
• A mixture of water and sulfuric acid

Lifespan

Lead-acid forklift batteries generally last between 1,000 and 1,500 cycles. That equals about 3 to 5 years with over 300 workdays per year.

Lithium-Ion Batteries

While lead-acid batteries are the most common, lithium-ion batteries are gaining popularity. They offer many benefits compared to lead-acid batteries, such as sealed cells to eliminate leaks, short charging period, no water maintenance, and environmental friendliness.