Has a longer run time compared to what? Raymond doesn't have a longer run time when it comes to AC. It may be able to move the same amount of pallets in a shorter amount of time THAN A DC POWERED TRUCK but it will also take more juice to do so. That's why you will often see a ACR powered 7400 with a 18-125-15 battery size instead of the standard 18-125-13 or 11 plate battery.
How is the side stance hard on your employees? The "universal" stance is a terrible design. Most fore/aft stance oriented trucks have the operators contorted into a semi side stance anyway with their arms behind their bodies operating the truck.