Australian battery-electric forklift sales lift

News Story
- 17 Aug 2006 ( #273 ) - CANBERRA, Australia
2 min read
by Daphne Haneman

An Australian forklift association has reported a significant growth in electric forklift sales in the past decade.

Australian Industrial Truck Association (AITA) executive officer Howard Grant said statistics collected by AITA showed battery electric forklift sales trends were emulating petrol and diesel sales.

"Over the last 10 years we have observed a perceptible growth in sales of electric forklifts," he said.

"Statistics show the proportion of combustion powered forklifts to battery electric used to be 60-40 but, in recent years, the ratio is more like 50-50."

Grant cited manufacturers offering improved technology as a potential reason for the increased sales.

"A greater range of battery types and fewer maintenance problems have added to the competitive aspect of the trucks. He said a greater focus on the environment was another factor.

Sydney-based Hyster Pacific regional sales manager Maurice Hayes said 2005-06 had seen a dramatic increase in deliveries of battery electric forklifts.

"In 2005, Hyster delivered 2,850 battery electrics to the marketplace and 3,971 in 2006. In terms of the overall market, this represents a 22 per cent positive swing," he said.

Hayes said the reason for the swing was probably to do with technology improvements, making battery electric forklifts economical and competitive with internal combustion units.

"Changing a battery now costs AUD6 to AUD8, whereas a tank of gas can cost AUD 25 to AUD 28. In terms of capital acquisition costs compared with fuel, that means a customer hits break-even point at 2-½ years," Hayes said.

"Additionally, new technology has lifted travel speeds on the electrics; they have the same programmability to operate at compatible IC speeds. We can now control the hydraulics without fleet assistance or speed shields."

However, Hayes said the used equipment market was still sluggish and buyers did not get resale value with electrics.

New Zealand Industrial Sales Ltd manager Dennis Rose said IC and Jungheinrich battery electric forklift sales had increased in the last calendar year, but he did not believe that reflected a significant increase in battery electric sales.

"To date we have not noticed any major swing to battery electric, however we anticipate a swing in the next 12-18 months," he said.

Powerlift Sydney sales manager Alistair Witt said there had been an increase in order intake for Powerlift's range of Nissan Euro battery electrics.

"Because of the Euro range and after winning an account with a transport and logistics business, we have noted an increase in sales."
Witt said the increase was due to improvements in AC technology and occupational health and safety issues.

"It's more electronics than electrics. We weren't getting battery usage on a full shift but now battery capability has improved."

Witt believed the rising trend in battery electric sales would continue.
Briefs
Briefs 10 Jul 2025 - 1 min read
EnerSys outdoor chargers receive UL approval
EnerSys outdoor chargers receive UL approval 3 Jul 2025 - Reading, PA, United States - 1 min read
Konecranes launches e-hybrid RTG
Konecranes launches e-hybrid RTG 19 Jun 2025 - Rotterdam, Netherlands - 1 min read
Previously about:
Australian code of conduct a success News Story - 2 Sep 2004 - CANBERRA, Australia - 1 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here

PREMIUM business

Hangzhou Maxlion Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd
3G Standard, Good Products, Good Price, Good Service.

Since July 2000, Forkliftaction News has been your guide to the developments that are shaping your industry.

Starting today we are also looking back on some of the key news stories from our extensive news archive.

In the news email and on the website, you'll see links to stories that were 'leading our news' multiple years ago, with topics spanning world-first products, big acquisitions, and major industry shifts.
We hope you enjoy this unique insight into the materials handling industry!

Words of support …

Undoubtedly, peer experience plays a crucially important role in our industry and it is extremely valuable for us to be part of the platform, where industry professionals, as well as end users can discuss and learn more about the materials handling world.

Alexandra Artemova, Marketing Specialist

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Since July 2000, Forkliftaction News has been your guide to the developments that are shaping your industry.

Starting today we are also looking back on some of the key news stories from our extensive news archive.

In the news email and on the website, you'll see links to stories that were 'leading our news' multiple years ago, with topics spanning world-first products, big acquisitions, and major industry shifts.
We hope you enjoy this unique insight into the materials handling industry!

Inside The News
This week Forkliftaction News is celebrating its 25th anniversary! A wonderful achievement given we launched at a time when just 6% of the world’s population were internet users, according to Internet World Stats . Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing stories about our history and rolling out more celebrations, so keep an eye out... Continue reading

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

It’s the year 2000. You’re in front of a boxy beige desktop waiting for the screeching ramblings of your dial-up to reach its finale. You go to Yahoo!, MSN, or maybe AOL, and start the mind-numbing process of finding your very specific needle in the digital haystack. And with web pages loading one image at a time, patience isn’t just a virtue – it’s a requirement!

As clumsy as this early iteration seems now, this technology was the great enabler that allowed Forkliftaction to connect to the industry across the globe.  

To everyone who has connected with Forkliftaction in the past 25 years, thank you for your contribution to our success! We feel deeply touched by your words of encouragement.

What has Forkliftaction meant to you? Drop us a line.