Bobcat Lithium-ION Solutions

• Charges faster than lead-acid batteries
• No need for regular maintenance like watering
• Longer lifespan with a higher cycle count
• More energy-efficient, cutting costs
• Stable current means less stress on components and lower maintenance costs
• Opportunity charging minimizes downtime

At Bobcat, we typically use chargers that fully charge the battery in 2 hours, also known as 0.5C chargers. A 2-hour charge is often considered healthier for the battery, as it minimizes heat buildup and stress on the cells. Excessive heat and rapid charging can accelerate wear, reducing the battery’s overall lifespan.

Opportunity charging lets lithium-ion batteries recharge during short breaks—like lunch or coffee—without reducing their lifespan. This increases uptime, eliminates battery swaps, optimizes workflows, and ensures forklifts are always ready to use.

Depending on usage and operating conditions, Bobcat’s lithium-ion batteries can last 3,000 charge cycles or more. This is significantly longer than traditional lead-acid batteries (on average 1,200 cycles).

Yes, our lithium-ion batteries are designed with multiple safety features, including Battery Management Systems (BMS) to monitor temperature, voltage, and current, as well as protections against overcharging, over-discharging, and overheating.

Bobcat lithium-ion batteries use LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cell chemistry, which is inherently safer due to its higher thermal stability and lower risk of overheating or thermal runaway compared to other lithium-ion chemistries. This makes LFP batteries particularly well-suited for industrial applications like forklifts.

Yes, they perform better than lead-acid batteries in cold storage environments. They come with a built-in heating system to ensure consistent performance in low temperatures.

Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries are virtually maintenance-free. There’s no need to water or clean the battery terminals.

The upfront cost of lithium-ion batteries is higher than lead-acid batteries, but they offer a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) due to longer lifespan, energy efficiency, and reduced maintenance costs.

Many forklifts can be retrofitted to use lithium-ion batteries. However, it's important to confirm compatibility with your dealer.

Unlike lead-acid batteries, they do not need a separate charging room or ventilation system. However, please consider that lithium batteries are charged with powerful chargers that require sufficient electrical capacity and proper installation. It’s important to ensure the facility's electrical system can handle the power demands of high-frequency chargers.

Key factors to consider include:

• Voltage and capacity requirements of your forklift
• Operating conditions (application)
• Daily runtime and charging schedule

Yes, their fast charging and opportunity charging capabilities make them ideal for multi-shift operations, eliminating the need for battery swapping.

Yes, lithium-ion batteries are recyclable. Recycling facilities recover valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, reducing environmental impact.

Switching to lithium-ion batteries reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to lead-acid batteries, making them a more sustainable choice.