Things to Consider When Buying a Battery for an Electric Forklift

1️⃣ Correct voltage & capacity (very important)

Voltage (V): 24V / 36V / 48V / 72V / 80V
→ Wrong voltage may damage the controller or motor.
Capacity (Ah): 210Ah / 280Ah / 400Ah…
→ Higher Ah = longer working time = higher cost.

👉 Rule:

Capacity (Ah) can be increased if space allows.
Voltage (V) must NOT be changed from the original design.

2️⃣ Battery size & weight

Measure the length × width × height of the battery compartment.
Lithium batteries are much lighter than lead-acid batteries, which may:
- Reduce counterweight
- Cause forklift instability
- Require additional ballast weight

⚠️ Ride-on and stand-on forklifts are very sensitive to battery weight.

3️⃣ Battery type: Lithium or Lead-acid?

Lithium (LiFePO4):

Fast charging (1.5–3 hours)
Long lifespan (3,000–5,000 cycles)
Maintenance-free
Higher initial cost

Lead-acid:

Lower price
Long charging time (6–8 hours)
Requires watering and maintenance
Shorter lifespan

👉 For multi-shift operation, lithium is strongly recommended.

4️⃣ BMS – the “brain” of a lithium battery

A reliable Battery Management System (BMS) must include:

Over-charge protection
Over-discharge protection
Cell balancing
Over-temperature protection
Communication (CAN / RS485), if required by the forklift

⚠️ Cheap batteries often fail due to poor BMS quality.

5️⃣ Charger compatibility

Lead-acid chargers cannot be used for lithium batteries.
The charger must match:
- Charging voltage
- Charging current
- Connector type

👉 Best solution: buy battery + charger as a matched set.

6️⃣ Battery cell brand

Ask clearly which cells are used:

CATL
EVE
BYD
CALB

⚠️ Avoid:

Unknown brands
Reused or second-hand cells
No manufacturing date

7️⃣ Warranty & after-sales service

Standard lithium battery warranty: 3–5 years
BMS warranty: 12–24 months
Ask whether they support:
- Installation
- BMS repair
- Individual cell replacement

👉 Don’t only ask for price — ask who takes responsibility if the battery fails.

8️⃣ Forklift compatibility

Before buying, provide:

Forklift brand (Toyota, Komatsu, EP, Heli…)
Rated load capacity
Forklift type (ride-on / stand-on / walkie)
Original battery voltage

✅ Quick checklist

✔ Correct Voltage & Capacity
✔ Proper Size & Weight
✔ High-quality BMS
✔ Correct Lithium charger
✔ Clear cell origin
✔ Clear warranty & service