Gwent Mechanical Handling are the EP Forklift Main Dealer and supply the complete EP lithium ion forklift range, from entry-level power pallet trucks to 7-tonne yard trucks that can replace diesel-powered forklifts. EP forklifts have earned a worldwide reputation for outstanding quality and innovation, offering lithium ion technology that can massively reduce your fuel costs, are zero-emission, come with a 5-year battery warranty and are available at a similar price point as traditional IC forklifts.
For further information please give us a call on 01633 601999
As a longstanding and one of the largest EP specialist dealers in the UK and with four decades of industry experience, we ensure we are offering our customers the right advice, support, and service to help your business succeed. Our ISO-certified processes ensure consistency, safety, and environmental responsibility in everything we do.
EP forklifts from Gwent Mechanical Handling will save your company money whilst improving productivity with cost-effective zero-maintenance alternatives to traditional lead-acid batteries at a similar cost to traditional IC engine forklifts.
Opportunity Charging allows you to simply plug the battery in whenever you like, as you would with a mobile phone. Extending battery life, fuel cost savings, eliminating battery upkeep and a 5 year battery warranty are just some of the additional reasons why you should choose Lithium-Ion for your particular application.
EP Forklifts can massively reduce your fuel costs, have an initial cost very similar to traditional gas, diesel & lead-acid forklifts and warehousing equipment and are the most environmentally friendly option out there. The new EFL series can even replace your diesel / LPG yard trucks!!
How did Aldi halve their forklift operational costs over 5 years and reduce their forklift fuel costs from £8k a month to £1k a month?
The benefits of EP Forklifts / Warehouse equipment
Saving you money:
Electric forklift trucks and warehouse equipment cost less to run than their gas/ diesel equivalents. EP forklift trucks and warehouse equipment cost a lot less in electricity costs than a regular electric forklift truck. Don’t forget, there are many forklift trucks in the EP range that can easily replace diesel forklifts, can be used outside, in the rain and on uneven surfaces (they are not all-terrain trucks though, a ‘yard truck’ is perhaps more appropriate terminology). Some of the more well known users of EP forklift trucks include Coca Cola and Amazon.
Lithium-ion is currently the most non-polluting, energy saving & environmentally sound option for any organisation aiming to mitigate the impact of their supply chain. Integrated with super-fast charger, Lithium power can fulfil the charging demands of the battery at rapid speeds, using much less electricity compared to traditional lead-acid battery and even more savings compared to gas or diesel. At present they even qualify for the temporary 130% super deduction capital allowances for taxation purposes. This is available for qualifying expenditure up to 31 March 2023, subject to terms and conditions of course
LONGER battery LIFESPAN
Lithium-ion batteries have a lifecycle of 3000 or more compared to just 500-1000 cycles in lead acid. Lithium-ion batteries generally last for several times the number of cycles as lead acid batteries, leading to a longer effective lifespan for lithium-ion products. Cycles are also counted in % of charge rather than one cycle every time you connect the battery to the charger. This means: 10% charge is 1/10 of a cycle with a Li-Ion battery, while a 10% charge at a lead acid battery is 1 full cycle.
OPPORTUNITY CHARGING
While lead acid batteries always need a full charge cycle of 8-12 hours to keep the batteries chemistry in balance, LI-Ion batteries really like opportunity charging. They can be plugged in the wall like your mobile phone and charge for 10 Minutes during a lunch break. This offers a unique way to work your shifts and reduce the overall Ah carried around in the truck.
LIGHTER WEIGHT
Lithium-ion batteries offer high power density which cause lithium-ion batteries to be relatively small and light. It is only one-third the weight of lead-acid batteries. This offers manufacturers like EP the opportunity to develop the trucks with higher standards of ergonomics, bigger legroom and better performing trucks due to the smaller size and weight of the batteries.
HIGHER EFFICIENCY
Most lithium-ion batteries are 95 percent efficient or more, meaning that 95 percent or more of the energy stored in a lithium-ion battery is actually able to be used. Conversely, lead acid batteries see efficiencies closer to 80 to 85 percent.
FASTER CHARGING
Higher efficiency batteries charge faster, improved efficiency means a higher effective battery capacity. Lithium batteries takes 2-3 hours to charge while lead-acid needs 8 hours. Lithium batteries high effective capacity reduces downtime in warehouse duties.
MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
From an ecological point of view, it‘s non-toxic and harmless. Lithium batteries emits no gas so it is a much cleaner technology and is safer for the environment than lead-acid.
Zero maintenance
While lead-acid batteries need special maintenance, Lithium batteries don’t require active maintenance to extend their service life. That largely eliminates the costs of battery upkeep, maintenance and infrastructure.
Less Expensive
It’s important to compare energy prices to ensure you’re getting a great deal for your Lead acid battery products and Li-ion ones.
In a nutshell, lead acid batteries may be less expensive from procurement perspectives, however, a lithium battery solution may contribute to a more cost-efficient warehouse operation in a long run:
Less expense and energy spent on charging batteries
No time and labour involved by swapping batteries
Less time and labour spent maintaining and watering lead-acid batteries
Reduced waste of energy (a lead-acid battery normally uses up to 50% of its energy through heat, while a lithium battery uses only up to 15%)
Smaller overall battery size leads to similar purchase costs and offer the same or better autonomy due to opportunity charging.
What to do now?
For further information on EP Forklifts or to arrange a site visit please give us a ring at Gwent Mechanical Handling on 01633 601999. We have over 40 years of expertise.
