Forklift Batteries & Chargers
Find The Right Battery And Charging Solution For Your Forklift Fleet
Keep your forklift fleet powered with batteries, chargers, and battery support from Apex. We provide electric forklift batteries and charging solutions for material handling operations throughout the greater Chicago area, with both lithium-ion and lead-acid options available.
Choosing the right forklift battery is about more than finding the correct voltage and size. Equipment type, fleet utilization, shift schedules, charging opportunities, maintenance requirements, and existing infrastructure can all affect which battery and charging strategy makes sense for your operation.
Reliable Power For Your Electric Forklift Fleet
Electric forklift performance depends on reliable battery power and an effective charging strategy. For some operations, lithium-ion technology can reduce battery maintenance and support frequent opportunity charging. For others, proven lead-acid technology remains a practical and cost-effective choice.
Apex offers both, helping you select the right battery technology for your equipment, duty cycle, and charging needs.
Lithium-Ion Forklift Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries offer a low-maintenance alternative to traditional lead-acid power and are particularly well suited to applications that can take advantage of fast and opportunity charging.
Apex offers Ethium® lithium-ion batteries designed specifically for material handling equipment. Available in 24V, 36V, 48V, and 80V configurations, Ethium batteries are designed as drop-in replacements for lead-acid batteries, providing a practical path to lithium power for compatible equipment.
Lithium-ion can be particularly valuable for multi-shift and high-utilization operations where charging time, battery changes, and ongoing battery maintenance affect equipment availability.
Lead-Acid Forklift Batteries
Lead-acid batteries remain a proven power source for electric forklifts and other industrial vehicles. They can be a strong fit for operations with established charging infrastructure, appropriate maintenance practices, and duty cycles that allow sufficient time for charging and cooling.
Apex offers new and reconditioned forklift batteries from established industrial battery manufacturers, along with the charging, watering, handling, and maintenance equipment required to support lead-acid fleets.
For facilities operating larger lead-acid fleets, Apex can also help with battery charging room planning, equipment, and installation.
Lead-Acid Or Lithium-Ion Forklift Batteries?
There isn't one battery technology that makes sense for every electric forklift fleet. The better choice depends on the application, operating schedule, existing infrastructure, and long-term priorities.
| Consideration | Lead-Acid | Lithium-Ion |
|---|---|---|
| Routine watering | Required for flooded batteries | Not required |
| Equalization | May be required | Not required |
| Opportunity charging | Depends on battery and charging strategy | Well suited |
| Battery changes | May be required for multi-shift operation | Can often be avoided with proper battery sizing and charging |
| Charging time | Typically longer | Faster charging capability |
| Battery handling infrastructure | May be required | Can reduce or eliminate routine battery-changing requirements |
| Initial battery investment | Typically lower | Typically higher |
| Best fit depends on | Duty cycle, maintenance resources, charging time, and existing infrastructure | Utilization, available charging opportunities, and lifecycle operating priorities |
Battery chemistry is only part of the decision. Battery voltage and capacity must match the equipment and application, and the charger must be properly matched to the battery.
Apex can help evaluate your fleet, operating schedule, and charging requirements before recommending a battery solution.
Forklift Battery Chargers
A forklift battery and charger work as a system. The charger must be compatible with the battery chemistry, voltage, amp-hour capacity, and charging requirements to safely and effectively restore the energy your equipment needs.
Apex supplies conventional, opportunity, and fast-charge solutions for lead-acid and lithium-ion forklift batteries. The right charging strategy depends on battery technology, fleet utilization, available charging windows, shift schedules, and facility electrical infrastructure.
Whether you're replacing an existing charger, adding equipment, or changing battery technology, Apex can help match the charger to the battery and application.
Forklift Batteries, Chargers & Support Equipment
The battery itself is only one part of an effective forklift power system. Apex supplies battery-charging, handling, maintenance, and safety equipment to support material handling fleets throughout the greater Chicago area.
Available products and equipment include:
Battery chargers and fast-charge systems
Battery stands and transfer carts
Forklift battery watering systems, watering guns, and carts
Hoists, cranes, and rigging
Battery cleaners and wash systems
Flip-top vent caps
Charger retrofit kits
Spill kits
Eye wash stations
Battery handling and safety products
Apex offers forklift batteries and related equipment from established manufacturers, including Battery Builders, EnerSys, Bulldog, Deka, SBS, Sackett Systems, MTC, and BHS, along with our private-label forklift battery offering.
Battery & Charger Service
Proper battery and charger maintenance helps protect the investment you've made in your electric material handling equipment.
Apex provides battery and charger inspection, planned maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair throughout the greater Chicago area. Our factory-trained specialists can evaluate batteries and chargers together, identify emerging issues, and recommend repairs or maintenance based on the equipment's condition.
Battery and charger services include:
Battery and charger inspections
Battery load testing
Battery reconditioning
Charger testing and repair
Cable, connector, and inter-cell connector inspection
Battery cleaning
Cell voltage and specific gravity checks for
applicable lead-acid batteries
Battery and charger matching
Planned battery and charger maintenance
Power Your Material Handling Equipment With Apex
Whether you're replacing a single forklift battery, evaluating a move from lead-acid to lithium-ion, planning a charging system, or managing the battery needs of an entire fleet, start with how the equipment is used.
Apex can help you compare battery technologies, determine the right battery and charger specifications, and support the system after installation. From batteries and chargers to forklift service, parts, and equipment, our greater Chicago team provides the products and technical support needed to keep your material handling fleet moving.