EnerSys' Ironclad, General Battery and EnForcer product lines.

Energy solutions provider EnerSys is starting a US program to educate and help users convert their forklift fleets to electric battery power from internal combustion.

The Convert to Electric (C2E) program begins a six-month pilot phase in Chicago, Illinois with plans to expand to other population centres in the future.

EnerSys has worked with customers on conversion efforts since 2008 and started structuring the C2E program and hiring staff in January 2013.

"We've done the research, and we've already seen just how much customers can save ? in energy, time, maintenance, labour and hard dollars ? by converting their lift-truck fleets to electric," says Mark Tomaszewski, EnerSys manager of emerging technologies. "Customers who have operated both systems have found electric to be far cleaner, easier and more reliable."

EnerSys says that converting can save an average user USD6,300 per truck, per year, in fuel alone. EnerSys says electric power is more efficient, provides significant cost savings and has environmental benefits.

EnerSys estimates that customers that have converted to electric forklifts have saved more than USD126 million since 2008 in fuel costs and have prevented more than 480 million lb. (216 million kg) of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere.

"We've found many customers' perceptions of battery-powered lift trucks are based on outdated information," says Tomaszewski. "Today's electric trucks can lift the heaviest loads, and they can work indoors or outdoors in the harshest climates."

EnerSys says electric forklift trucks produce zero on-site exhaust emissions, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen and nearly half as much well-to-wheels CO2 as hydrogen fuel cell forklifts.

Reading-based EnerSys manufactures and distributes reserve power and motive power batteries, chargers, power equipment and battery accessories globally. The motive power batteries are used in electric forklift trucks and other commercial electric powered vehicles. The EnerSys motive power brands include Ironclad, General Battery and Express.