For a return on investment that keeps paying off over time, it's worth taking a hard look at purpose-built, integrated lithium-ion forklifts. Compared to propane models, Big Joe integrated lithium-ion forklifts have been proven to reduce costs by as much as 50% in some applications. In many cases, customers making the switch see ROI within one year.
We put together The ROI Equation, a one-page infographic that breaks down what it actually costs to run an LPG forklift compared to a Big Joe integrated lithium-ion forklift. Here's a preview.
We modeled a 5,000 lb. capacity forklift running about 1,800 hours a year in a typical warehouse. That means a medium-intensity application with a standard preventive maintenance schedule. It's the kind of truck most facilities already have working every day.
Running that truck on propane costs about $8,500 a year in fuel. A Big Joe integrated lithium-ion forklift doing the same work costs about $1,100 a year in electricity. That's $7,400 back in your budget every year, and up to a 90% reduction in fuel costs.
The only fuel a lithium forklift needs is the power already coming into your building. There are no tank deliveries, no storage cage and no swapping cylinders mid-shift.
If your trucks run attachments like carton clamps or single-double load handlers, the propane bill climbs even higher. The more fuel your current fleet burns, the more you stand to save.
"With an integrated lithium-ion forklift, you're essentially buying the fuel up front, and the savings increase the larger the forklift and the harder you use it."
Martin Boyd, Chief Marketing Officer, Big Joe Forklifts
Electric forklifts have fewer moving parts than propane trucks, so there's less to maintain over the life of the truck. In our scenario, yearly maintenance drops from about $4,200 to $2,600. That's $1,600 saved every year, and up to 50% savings on maintenance. Less time in the shop also means more time on the floor.
Cost matters, but so does the person in the seat. Propane trucks are louder, vibrate more and put out hot exhaust. Big Joe integrated lithium-ion forklifts run quieter and produce no exhaust or fumes.
Most electric forklifts are built on a "box on wheels" chassis designed for a separate battery. Big Joe builds the battery into the truck from the start. That gave our engineers room to design around the operator, with standard features like an adjustable seat and tilt steering column.
Every Big Joe Class 1 forklift comes standard with an onboard charger, so charging works around your schedule instead of the other way around.
"With Big Joe purpose-built, integrated lithium-ion forklifts, the days of replacing awkward propane tanks and switching out heavy lead acid batteries are gone. By utilizing the standard single-phase on-board charger overnight, or opportunity fast-charging with an industrial 3-phase charger during breaks, the thought of ever going back to IC becomes inconceivable."
Martin Boyd, Chief Marketing Officer, Big Joe Forklifts
Over seven years, the scenario in the infographic adds up to a $63,300 reduction in operating costs. That's real money you can put back into your people, your facility or your next fleet expansion.
Download The ROI Equation infographic to see the side-by-side comparison and the assumptions behind it. It's built to be shared, so send it to whoever signs off on your next fleet purchase.
Want numbers for your own operation? Try our ROI calculator to download your personalized report, or contact your local Big Joe dealer to schedule a demo.