In response to a growing demand for cleaner, quieter, low-maintenance equipment that can withstand the construction job site, Genie has added a lithium-ion battery option for GS E-Drive slab scissor lifts. Tested for longevity and reliability, Genie's lithium-ion batteries have been designed for MEWPs and are certified by the independent certification organization Underwriters Laboratory (UL) against fires, electric shocks, and explosions.
"Today's electrified equipment doesn't just reduce emissions. In many cases, it also performs better and requires less maintenance. That said, battery maintenance and replacement is still one of the biggest ongoing expenses for scissor lift owners. Genie lithium-ion [battery] reduces those costs by eliminating battery maintenance and replacement. Purposefully designed for use in MEWPs, Genie lithium-ion is the only battery you'll need for the normal life of your scissor lift," says Christian Dube, Genie product manager.
The zero-maintenance Genie lithium-ion battery's fully-sealed IP67 housing protects it from water and dust contamination. It has an expected lifespan of about 10 years and comes with a five-year warranty. Introduced in 2020, Genie E-Drive scissor lifts are low-maintenance machines with brushless, fully sealed AC drive motors and 70 percent fewer hydraulic hoses and fittings. Genie's E-Drive lithium-ion scissor lifts reduce maintenance costs by an additional 11 percent compared to flooded lead acid (FLA) batteries because the lithium-ion batteries do not need to be watered or replaced.
On the job site, E-Drive lithium-ion scissor lifts offer ideal productivity and performance, even in extreme temperatures ranging between 120 degrees F / 49 degrees C to -20 degrees F / -29 degrees C.
"When in use, electric machines with a standard FLA battery usually generate enough heat in the battery to continue working. However, most people aren't continuously lifting or driving; they're stopped and doing work, allowing the FLA batteries to cool. As the FLA battery gets colder, it delivers less energy, which means the operator needs to take a break and move the lift into a warmer environment," Dube says. "Genie lithium-ion batteries have built-in heaters that maintain the proper temperature, even when the scissor lift is stationary. This allows the operator to work continuously, without taking a break to warm up the battery – a real productivity benefit in a cold environment."
Genie GS E-Drive lithium-ion scissor lifts can be recharged in just four hours, which is 33 percent faster than a standard FLA battery, and partial charges won't damage the lithium-ion battery. This allows operators to charge a lift during breaks or over lunch in the event the machine didn't get charged the night before, or if it is being used for a second shift.
Additionally, because many rental companies look to give older equipment a second life on the used equipment market, Genie lithium-ion powered scissor lifts can be retrofitted with FLA batteries when the unit reaches the end of its useful life in a rental fleet.
The lithium-ion battery option is available globally on nearly all GS E-Drive slab scissor lifts, with the exception of the GS-1432m and GS-1932m micro scissor lifts and the GS-4046 and GS-4655 slab scissor lifts.
