80 volt lithium models launched

THE MATERIALS handling vehicles specialist offers operators a powerful and environmentally friendly alternative to IC engine-powered trucks in both the 48V and 80V electric segments with load capacities from 1.6 to 5 tonnes.

The four-wheel electric forklifts GEX20-30sL and GEX40-50 with 80 V Li-Ion technology are available with load capacities from 2 to 5t and are suited to transporting heavy loads indoors and outdoors. Whether in industry, distribution or even in the food, beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, where clean operation is important, the Clark electric forklifts with Li-Ion battery ensure high handling performance with low operating costs over the entire life cycle of the truck. The trucks prove their worth especially in intensive operations where powerful starting behaviour is required, fast loading and unloading is important at peak times or in operations where slopes or ramps have to be overcome regularly. Especially in multi-shift operation, however, where high availability is important, trucks with Li-Ion batteries show their strengths to the full. Here, the operator particularly benefits from the properties of Li-Ion technology, such as durability, fast and intermediate charging capability as well as freedom from maintenance.

Single source

With the Clark Li-Ion solution, the customer receives everything from a single source – i.e. the Li-Ion battery, the battery management system (BMS) and the high-frequency charger. The battery capacity for all 80V models in the GEX series is 560 Ah. The 80V charger only requires a power connection (CEE 16 A plug) and fully recharges the battery in just 3.5 hours. The charging status is shown on the vehicle display. During the charging process, the display on the charger always shows the current charging status of the Li-Ion battery. The BMS has a safety cut-out.

The Li-Ion battery can be intermediately charged at any time and within a very short time, when breaks occur, without damaging the battery or shortening its service life. Approximately 6.25 % of the charge quantity can be achieved in 15 minutes. Li-Ion vehicles can thus be used around the clock without the need to change batteries.

Clark Li-Ion batteries are based on safe lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology. With LiFePO4 batteries, no oxygen is released during the chemical reaction within the cells. This means there is no risk of spontaneous combustion or explosion of the battery. Vehicles with LiFePO4 battery perform efficiently even at very low and high ambient temperatures. With 2500 guaranteed charging cycles, the service life of the Li-Ion battery is at least twice as long, and depending on the application, even many times longer than the service life of a lead-acid battery. In addition, LiFePO4 batteries are more environmentally friendly than, for example, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides (NMC batteries), because these require problematic raw materials, such as cobalt.

For more information, visit www.clarkmheu.com