From left, Neal Potter, EPB energy analyst; Al Bennett, Dynatronics Chattanooga plant manager; Dean Trammell, Dynatronics Chattanooga Shipping & Receiving supervisor; Pam Murphree, Dynatronics Chattanooga Shipping & Receiving manager; Richard Russell, TVA Power Utilization engineer
EPB, in partnership with TVA, presented Dynatronics Chattanooga with a $2,000 incentive to assist with the cost of replacing an internal combustion forklift with an electric powered forklift that will improve the operational efficiency of Dynatronics warehouse operations in Ooltewah.
EPB’s Energy Services & Communications key customer group presented the $2,000 check to Dynatronics, which is a manufacturer of medical and rehabilitation equipment.
“We are proud of working with our commercial customers to find ways to reduce energy waste and incentives that help them operate more efficiently,” said EPB energy analyst Neal Potter. “Lift trucks are one of the most widely used material handling vehicles, so we were glad to help Dynatronics through the TVA Energy Right Solutions Electric Forklift Program.”
“We are thankful for EPB’s efforts to incentivize ways that can help us reduce our operational costs and provide a cleaner environment for our employees to serve our customers,” said Dynatronics Chattanooga plant manager Al Bennett.
While the initial cost of an electric forklift can be greater than a diesel or propane powered forklift, the savings in fuel and maintenance can provide a quick return on the investment, according to the Electric Power Research Institute. The cost to purchase, maintain and charge an electric forklift over five years is about $58,000, versus about $80,000 for a propane powered combustion engine lift truck during that same time, yielding a savings of about $22,000 according to EPRI.
Additional benefits of electric forklifts include less pollution, quieter operation, greater efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.
Dynatronics Chattanooga Shipping & Receiving Supervisor Dean Trammell demonstrates the company’s new Big Joe electric lift truck