After a 6-month pilot test, General Motors' Canada Division has begun deploying fast-charge battery technology for a fleet of electric forklifts at its Toronto assembly facility. Use of the charging system yields major savings in time and manpower for forklift operators compared to conventional charging technology.

Fast-charging technology is being used on all 3 shifts at the GM Canada plant. The charging system eliminates battery exchanges and labor-intensive handling of depleted batteries. With its fast cool-down period, moreover, this charger system promotes one battery per vehicle operation.

In conventional charging of forklift batteries, the batteries generally are removed and recharged in a remote battery room adjacent to the plant or warehouse floor. This time consuming process has reduced forklift operator productivity because of the travel time to and from the battery room and the time spent waiting for battery removal and replacement with a charged battery.

Now, at GM Canada, fast-chargers can be placed near the forklift operating area, making recharging convenient for operators. The system eliminates the need for battery rooms, ventilation systems, and extra batteries required for efficient operation.

In GM's pilot program to assess fast charging, the charger returned a flooded battery to up to 30% of its full charge in 45 minutes, to 80% in three hours, and a completely discharged battery to 100% in four to five hours.

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