Why Forklifts Mainly Use Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries Instead of Ternary Lithium Batteries？

Q: Do you have 18650 batteries?

A: 18650 is a ternary lithium battery. We don't have that, but we provide lithium iron phosphate batteries. May I ask what you need the batteries for?

Q: For a forklift.

A: Our lithium iron phosphate batteries are specially developed for forklifts. In fact, most forklifts nowadays use lithium iron phosphate batteries rather than ternary lithium batteries. Could you tell me the model of your forklift? I'd be happy to recommend an appropriate battery for you.

This is a customer inquiry conversation.

Last week, a forklift user came to us looking to replace the original lead-acid batteries in his forklift with lithium-ion batteries. However, he may not have been aware that lithium iron phosphate batteries are now mainstream for low-speed power applications, rather than ternary lithium batteries.

One may wonder, if lithium-ion and lithium iron phosphate are both common battery types for electric vehicles, why aren't ternary lithium batteries used for forklifts? The answer is that lithium iron phosphate batteries are used not just for forklifts, but also for home energy storage, golf carts, e-bikes and more.

The first reason is safety. Electric vehicle fires have been a major concern, with over 50 reported in 2020 alone. The vast majority of these fires were due to thermal runaway, which ternary lithium batteries are more prone to due to their high energy density and reactivity. Ternary lithium batteries can decompose and explode at temperatures as low as 250-300°C, while lithium iron phosphate only does so above 600°C, making it more thermally stable.

Additionally, lithium iron phosphate batteries last longer - they maintain 80% capacity after 3000 charge cycles, and can last 5-8 years with proper maintenance. In comparison, ternary lithium batteries may only achieve 2000 cycles before reaching their limit, lasting less than 5 years.

But perhaps most importantly, lithium iron phosphate batteries are cheaper to produce. Cost is a major consideration for budgets. Lithium iron phosphate uses inexpensive lithium and iron, while ternary lithium batteries contain costly cobalt. Typical costs are $0.07-0.09/Wh for lithium iron phosphate, versus $0.1-0.12/Wh for ternary lithium batteries. Rapidly growing demand for EVs and energy storage is also driving lithium iron phosphate costs down through economies of scale. For price-conscious applications, lithium iron phosphate is the clear choice.

If you need to purchase lithium batteries, please visit the product page for more information.