Canadian battery maker Electrovaya has signed a CAD4.3 million ($3.5m) deal to supply its lithium-ion ceramic batteries to power forklifts for Walmart Canada.
Walmart is converting the forklifts in one of its distribution centres to use Electrovaya’s ‘Elivate’ forklift battery line instead of lead-acid, Electrovaya said.
The “initial purchase orders” from Walmart are for deliveries to be made by the first quarter of 2018.
Electrovaya said the Elivate line is available in various 24V, 36V and 48V configurations suitable for Class I, II and III material handling equipment. The batteries have fast-charging capabilities, providing the customer with the opportunity to charge during lunch or other breaks, the company said.
Electrovaya’s first forklift orders for Elivate, worth $634,000, came from food giant Mondelez International earlier this year.