Plugging into greener power

PLUGGING IN TO GREENER POWER

When Combilift was established in 1998, the world was quite a different place. Only 9% of households had access to the internet for example, and in the world of industrial vehicles, diesel power was considered to offer the best performance in demanding working conditions. Times have changed, and the growing demand for electric powered vehicles and equipment has been fuelled by shifting public attitudes and more stringent legislation. This has put pressure on manufacturers and companies in a wide variety of industry sectors to look at switching to an electric fleet. Switching to electric power can bring benefits for the environment, your workforce, your neighbours and your balance sheet. This is now a more attractive option than it was previously and is down to improved battery performance and technology. This enables ever increasing lift capacities and longer run times per charge. The latest generation of electric trucks are also versatile and can work indoors and out, reducing the overall number of forklifts required and consequently the carbon footprint – as well as operational costs and outlay for insurance, maintenance and so on. So, what is good for the planet can also be good for your business. Talking of finances: the initial cost of an electric truck may be somewhat higher than a diesel model, but over a truck’s lifetime the total cost of ownership (TCO) can be better, especially with the sharp rise in the cost of diesel fuel since early 2022. An electric fleet obviously improves air quality on site and reduces the potential risks that pollution can cause to employees, visitors and customers alike. Noise pollution is often an underestimated threat to human health, wildlife and environmental quality, and more and more companies are aiming to quieten down their operations by using electric trucks. As electric powered trucks do not have traditional combustion engines or hydraulic transmissions, there is no need to check and top up engine fluids or lubricants. This results in longer intervals between services, for cost savings as well as convenience. Combilift has also incorporated some innovative developments into the latest generation of its electric models, one of these being its unique Electronic Traction Control system which guarantees optimum truck performance in all weather conditions. Combilift’s CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar: “We made our first electric C-Series multidirectional truck 18 years ago, and as we continue to expand our range of electric powered products, we now have electric power as an option in all truck models. In the last year alone, we added four new electric models to our portfolio, and more than 60% of the trucks that come off the production lines in Monaghan are now electric. More and more of our customers are opting for electric power in line with their commitment to sustainability.”

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