Jungheinrich Expands Range of its Lithium-ion Batteries

Jungheinrich’s new 48 v lithium-ion solution.
(Courtesy: Jungheinrich)

Jungeinrich, a forklift manufacturer based in the UK, has expanded the range of its 360 and 480 AH versions of its 48-volt lithium-ion batteries to include reach trucks and counterbalance forklifts.

According to Jungheinrich, the battery needs no maintenance, offers a long battery life and needs no maintenance. This means that warehouses that use their forklifts for up to 24-hours a day, seven days a week will not required a battery change.

After charging time of just about 40 minutes, the energy cells will achieve 50 percent of their capacity; after just 80 minutes of charging, the battery obtains a full charge.

Due to the elimination of the need to change out batteries, total cost of ownership is reduced. There is no need to purchase a second battery, battery-changing equipment, special charging stations and no waste of time normally used to make a battery change.

This reduces the possibility of workplace accidents due to changing the battery.

Jungheinrich asserts that the batteries have a life expectancy of up to 3,000 full cycles and considerably higher for partial cycles. In comparison, the average life of a lead-acid battery is about 900 to 1,200 cycles.

Jungheinrich became the first company to introduce a lithium-ion vehicle battery for mass production when it debuted one at the CeMAT in 2011. In 2014, the company released a new generation of proprietary lithium-ion battery in the 24 V range that can be recharged within 30 minutes.

To ensure safety, efficiency, and convenience in daily operation the battery, the charging device and vehicle are all coordinated with each other. An integrated battery management system permanently monitors the battery.

The high voltage stability of the lithium-ion batteries results in improved performance during the entire operating cycle. Moreover, the higher current can be recovered so the truck is up to 20 percent more efficient.

Lithium-ion batteries are more ecofriendly, does not permit the escape of gases or acid, as is the case with lead-acid batteries.

Finally, lithium-ion batteries can be used in temperatures ranging from -20° to 55° C.