The first UL-approved lithium-ion batteries to replace lead-acid in forklift trucks have gone into commercial production.
US-based Flux Power is aiming for an assembly volume of 100 packs a month by the end of the summer, to double by the end of the year.
The firm’s Light EV battery packs for Class III pallet jack forklifts, or “walkies”, were listed to UL 2271 certification in February.
Flux CEO Ron Dutt said there would be a particular focus on ’30 large customer prospects that have already piloted and/or purchased earlier generation LiFT Pack units’.
“Collectively these customers utilize an estimated 22,000 walkie pallet jacks nationwide and therefore represent aggregate sales potential of over $65 million in walkie LiFT Pack units alone,” he said. “Based on this… we are confident in our ability to achieve LiFT Pack sales of between $3 and $6 million over the next 12 months.”
Alongside its forklift truck battery developments, Flux has developed a 72 volt battery pack to power electric aviation ground support equipment, initially for baggage tow tucks which use the same technology as the forklift trucks.
