Kalmar To Sell Electric Forklifts To Brazilian Port Logistics Firm Sagres

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Kalmar’s light lineup of electric lift trucks, which includes the ECG50 to ECG90, spans lifting capacities of 5.5 to 10 tons. (Photo courtesy of Cargotec.)

Lift manufacturer Kalmar has agreed to provide six all-electric forklifts to Sagres, a major port logistics services provider for the southern end of Brazil. The four light and two medium electric forklifts, all running on lead-acid battery power, are scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of this year. The light forklifts will be used to support pulp and paper manufacturer CMPC’s operations in Guaíba and the Port of Rio Grande.

“The new electric forklifts will be important in helping us to reduce the environmental impact of our operations and improve cost efficiency and workplace well-being,” says Sagres Technical Director Lucio Pires. As part of the contract, the logistics operator has an option to buy an additional 16 electric forklifts in 2020 and 2021.

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Rechargeable Kalmar electric forklifts don’t emit exhaust gases like their diesel equivalents, and are much quieter as well. (Photo courtesy of Cargotec.)

Light & Medium Electric Models

Kalmar has designed its fully electric forks to provide the performance of their diesel counterparts, minus the engine noise, vibration, and emissions. They’re also faster and have better acceleration than models with internal combustion engines, and boast a 500-hour service interval instead of 50 hours.

The company’s light lineup of electric lift trucks, which includes the Kalmar ECG50 to ECG90, spans lifting capacities of 5.5 to 10 tons (5 to 9 metric tons). The medium forklift family ranges up to the powerful ECG180, covering the 10- to 20-ton (9- to 18-metric ton) segment.

All of the above models come with Kalmar’s ergonomic EGO cabin, which provides the operator with superior visibility as well as adjustability of the control panels, seat, and steering wheel. The in-cab display shows error codes for quicker diagnostics when problems occur.

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Kalmar’s G-Generation medium electric forklift lineup covers the 10- to 20-ton segment of lifting capacities. (Photo courtesy of Cargotec.)

Lead-Acid vs. Lithium-Ion

Kalmar offers its light and medium electric forklifts with either lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries. Li-ion is the more expensive option, but it offers many advantages over the older battery technology.

“The most obvious benefit is that it doesn’t need a specific charging room as you’d need for a lead-acid battery, and instead, can be opportunity-charged in shorter spurts over the day,” said Kalmar Forklift trucks Business Development Manager David Malmström last January. “That way, you can basically use the trucks all the time and you don’t have to plan for breaks for charging the batteries.” Kalmar’s Li-ion batteries can fully charge in 100 minutes as compared to 8 hours for its lead-acid units.

Further points in favor of Li-ion include greater battery efficiency (95% vs. 70%), much longer service life (up to 4,000 cycles vs. 1,400), and lower maintenance requirements than lead-acid batteries.

Source: Cargotec