For many industry professionals, high capacity electric forklifts continue to be machines of the future. Yet with new units such as Carer's high capacity, lithium-powered forklifts on the market, the future is already here.

Those who remain unaware of the innovations in the Carer high capacity electric world are missing out on huge opportunities. Don't stay weighed down by your traditional IC forklift!

Here's a quick look at some common misconceptions about electric forklifts that will influence your next equipment purchase.

"Electric forklifts are costly to buy, operate, maintain, and repair"

Though an electric forklift may cost more up front, they show a return on investment within 24 months when all operating costs are considered. These costs include adjusted life cycle depreciation, extended operating life, reduced maintenance & repair costs, energy consumption, labor costs, tire wear and downtime. This gap becomes larger with high capacity forklifts where maintenance costs & energy consumption increase exponentially as the size of machine increases. Carer analyzes and measures overall operating costs of an ICE forklift compared to an electric to show the savings and return on initial investment.

For example, Carer electric forklifts have 90 parts compared 1100 parts on an IC truck. This means they have fewer moving components that can fail and need to be replaced. In fact, the annual maintenance and repair costs for a Carer electric forklift are approximately one-third of what it costs to maintain and repair a similar internal combustion (IC) forklift.

In almost all cases, the operating costs for a Carer electric forklift is 85-95 percent less than a diesel or LP forklift. Where an LP forklift might cost $6000 per year, a comparable Carer electric forklift will only cost $600 to $900 per year. When the math is done, what seems to be a premium on an electric truck ends up becoming savings.

"Electric forklifts are too slow"

Carer electric forklifts actually possess a faster travelling and lifting speed than many of their IC-powered counterparts. This is because the technology behind Carer's electric motors allows it to use 100% of its available torque instantly. When the driver of a Carer truck pushes down on the accelerator pedal, the shift from being fully stopped to maximum set speed is almost instantaneous. Let's say you were to put an IC powered forklift and a Carer electric forklift side by side in the same application, needing to travel the same distance. If they started at the same time, the Carer forklift would likely be halfway to the destination before the IC truck would hit its top speed.

"The battery doesn't produce enough power for my application"

Not all electric forklifts are built equally. Each electric forklift can be configured with vastly different power systems (battery & charger) to meet specific operational expectations. Carer offers varying energy consumption performance capabilities across 46 different chassis configurations with lift capacities up to 33,000lbs. Equipped with an 80- or 96-volt operating system and the option to provide lithium Ion batteries, there are few applications where these forklifts struggle with power output. With over 40 years of experience, Carer continues to focus on the necessary engineering and design to maximize runtimes for performance demands across several industries. Whether it's in a single or triple shift application, Carer offers the ideal model that will maximize the exact power supply to fit all operational requirements.

"Electric forklifts are limited by lift capacity"

Did you know that Carer electric forklifts are available with a high capacity, pneumatic style chassis? With increasing demands to have high capacity forklifts adhere to Tier 4 compliance, an electric unit is a clean and powerful alternative. No longer are electric forklifts tied to capacities of 3,000 to 10,000 lbs. With advancements in the electrical components and higher kilowatt hours, Carer can offer high capacity forklifts with similar performance as their internal combustion counterparts. Now, mines, mills, manufacturers, ports, lumber, pulp and paper companies can choose from 46 chassis configurations with capacities ranging from 12,000lbs to 55,000lbs.

"Electric forklift technology is too new"

The first forklift manufactured was an electric unit. 15 years ago, 35% of the sit-down counterbalance forklifts sold in North American were electric. Today, nearly 70% are electric drive units. The key objections to acquiring electric forklifts are no longer valid. Once operators allow themselves to become accustomed to operating an electric forklift, it often becomes their preference going forward. Most operators prefer to stick with electric units instead of returning to an IC model. This is largely due to the reduced noise production, comfortable cabs, and total lack of heat production. Choosing electric makes you a market leader, driving smart solutions into your organization.

"Electric forklifts won't work in our environment"

Did you know that electric forklifts can operate outdoors in all weather conditions? Much like the advances proven in the automotive industry, electric forklifts have grown to where they can take the place of most ICE forklifts regardless of operating environment. At times they may even grant additional performance advantages, especially in traction and acceleration. Carer Electric Forklifts offer models specific to each application's environmental conditions. Whether it's cold and snowy or excessively hot and humid, Carer has a model that will fit any environment.


Here are some Carer Electric trucks that are changing the industry:

A80-900X&100X series including: capacity ranging from 17,500lbs up to 22,000lbs with full rated capacity available up to 19.6ft, a 96-volt operating system for high-efficiency energy consumption and long operating time, high-performance dual drive motors, elevated seating position, large diameter super elastic tires,and all-weather cabin options. This Carer series is a great fit for steel, lumber, and multi-pallet handling applications.


F60-100HD2 series including: capacity ranging from 13,500lbs to 22,000lbs with a 96-volt chassis configuration, high-performance dual drive motors, and a short turning radius 180-degree steer axle.  The Carer FHD2 series is excellent for performance and energy demanding and high daily utilization environments including lumber processing and reload, pulp and paper processing, and any environment where performance and long operating time are required.


Z60-100H series including: capacity ranging from 13,500lbs to 22,000lbs with a 96-volt chassis configuration, high-performance drive motor, short wheelbase. Great for operation in dense warehouse and production environments.  Excellent in paper roll industries.




K100-120 series including: capacity ranging from 22,000lbs to 26,000lbs with a 96-volt chassis configuration for high-efficiency operation. Very low chassis and mast design of 88" for operation in environments with limited height access including shipping containers, mining, heavy industrial, and port terminal operations. All-weather cabin options available.



Z100-Z140HC & Z140-160H series including: capacity ranging from 26,000lbs to 35,000lbs with a 120-volt chassis configuration for very high operating efficiency, cushion tires, short wheelbase for confined area operation, excellent for applications with steel coil and smelter facilities, aerospace, and heavy-duty manufacturing.





Carer electric forklifts has the right machine for any heavy-duty application in the most aggressive operating environments.  Please contact Carer Electric Forklift Solutions at 1-844-33CARER (1-844-332-2737), or via email, for information on how Carer can support the integration of industrial electric forklifts into your facility.