2020 World Lithium forklift

World Forklift West and XL Lifts have unveiled the 2020 World Lithium forklift which they claim is the industry's first low-capacity lithium electric forklift for indoor and outdoor use.

The second-generation all-weather World Lithium Forklift is designed specifically for use with lithium batteries and outside use. Other standard brand forklift companies are still offering a first-generation converted lead acid forklift that uses steel plates inside the lithium battery housing as counterweight to compensate for the weight of a lead acid battery, World Lift claims. The result is a significantly heavier, wider and bulkier lift that does not work outside or in tight turning radius quarters indoors.

(In January, Jungheinrich unveiled what it claimed was the world's first reach truck with built-in lithium-ion battery.)

Because the 2020 World Lithium is designed for lithium, it boasts a streamlined footprint that enables the forklift to operate in small working areas or sharp turning radius requirements, without compromising on lifting capacity.

"Beyond the upfront cost savings, the newly designed World Lithium forklift utilises fast-charging lithium-ion batteries, making World Lithium forklifts one of the first lower-capacity zero-emissions forklifts to run continuous shifts with brief opportunity charging on breaks, lunches and between shifts," says Peter Vaz, president of World Lift. "The result is minimal downtime for increased productivity without the bigger and bulkier footprint of older lead acid battery converted forklifts."

"XL Lifts is excited to offer its customers a second-generation zero-emission forklift alternative that can be used in all-weather conditions - even in the rain and snow," says Mike Marzahl, president of dealer XL Lifts. "This innovation means that companies no longer need to purchase two forklifts, such as an LPG/diesel and an electric forklift, one for outdoors and one for indoors.

"Plus, with the ability to be charged outdoors, companies no longer have to allocate precious and expensive indoor space or battery rooms to house and charge their World Lithium forklifts, (as) they currently need to with their lead-acid electric forklifts."