Energy consumption of forklift versus standards, effects of their use and expectations

the paper concerns the search for a reasonable calculation method to determine the energy consumption of a forklift. The effects of alternative pathways for determining energy consumption are summarised, including: VDI 2198, ISO 50001, MTM -and proprietary PZM test cycle. These tools are used to determine the energy consumption of logistical transport and storage systems. A single forklift is rarely operated; they more often occur in the form of fleets. Therefore, assuming the effect of scale, the precise determination of energy consumption gives a chance to significantly reduce emissions and operating costs, by defining in the next step precise costs (e.g. logistic costs); another aspect is optimum fleet and people management, as well as battery charging/refuelling. In addition to the traditional pathways of determining energy consumption (mentioned above) -the paper discusses a new PZM cycle (Pawel Zajac Method). The energy consumption in the PZM work cycle was verified in logistics centres and compared with the simulation results. Additionally, the results of energy consumption from computer simulations made for economic speed are included. (c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

This paper explores the search for a reasonable calculation method to determine the energy consumption of a forklift, summarizing the effects of alternative pathways for determining energy consumption and discussing the potential for reducing emissions and operating costs through precise energy consumption determination. The paper also introduces a new PZM cycle for energy consumption determination and compares the results with simulations made for economic speed.