Lithium Forklifts: Big Joe Challenges Legacy Thinking
Welcome to this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast featuring special guest Martin Boyd, CMO at Big Joe Forklifts. Big Joe has long been known for its warehouse equipment, such as walkie stackers and pallet trucks.
However, the company is now making a major push into larger lithium-ion forklifts designed to replace propane and diesel equipment. During the conversation, Boyd explains how Big Joe Pulse gives operators deeper visibility into charging behavior, energy use, and ROI.
Big Joe Pushes Beyond Traditional Warehouse Equipment
At MODEX 2026, the company showcased a sit-down counterbalance forklift powered entirely by integrated lithium-ion batteries. Boyd explained that Big Joe focuses on helping operations transition away from propane- and diesel-powered equipment without sacrificing performance.
As Boyd explained, “The mentality out there is that electric products can’t do the job that propane and diesel trucks do. When in fact, the technology has evolved so much now that the electric products can do the same job and even better than internal combustion.”
Big Joe even displayed an old propane forklift inside a smoke-filled box, asking attendees, “Are you still stuck in the past?” The goal was simple. Challenge long-standing assumptions about electric forklifts and show how modern lithium-ion systems now compete directly with IC trucks in demanding environments.
Big Joe also displayed several new forklifts, including a 10,000-pound unit already deployed in customer operations and a new 15,500-pound high-voltage truck planned for release next year.
Integrated Lithium Changes Forklift Design
Boyd explained that many older electric forklifts limit flexibility and often create compromises for operators. Boyd described the difference directly, saying, “Lithium is the answer to that. It solves all the pains that lead acid brings.” He also explained how integrated lithium changes the entire design process. “It really enters a space where it gives engineers freedom to finally design a lift truck not around a box where a lead acid product would go.”
Boyd noted that many operators assume electric forklifts will feel weaker or slower than propane units. However, Big Joe often sees the opposite reaction during demos. “Many times we have to detune the trucks because the trucks are too powerful or they go too fast.”
The charging process also changes operational behavior. As Boyd explained, “Lithium likes to be charged often. It likes to be charged fast. I always say you’re constantly topping off the tank whenever you get a chance.”
Big Joe Pulse Brings Visibility to Fleet Electrification
Alongside its equipment lineup, Big Joe also introduced Big Joe Pulse at MODEX 2026. Pulse is a telemetry platform designed to help customers better understand fleet usage, charging habits, and energy consumption.
Boyd explained that the system helps customers understand why certain operational issues occur during electrification rollouts. In one example, he noted, “There’s a reason why the truck didn’t last the shift because your operator in the third shift didn’t put it on a charge.”
That visibility helps customers right-size batteries, chargers, and charging schedules while improving operator education. It also creates measurable financial insights. Boyd shared one of the biggest operational findings from customer deployments: “What we’ve seen is anywhere between 80 to 90% savings just in fuel alone.”
Beyond fuel savings, Pulse also tracks sustainability metrics. The system can estimate reduced emissions, lower energy consumption, and broader environmental impact.
Key Takeaways on Lithium Forklifts from Big Joe
- Big Joe is expanding beyond traditional warehouse equipment into larger lithium-ion counterbalance forklifts.
- The company displayed forklifts ranging from 4,000-pound to 15,500-pound capacities at MODEX 2026
- Big Joe’s forklifts are fully integrated lithium-ion systems rather than retrofitted lead-acid designs.
- Operators often underestimate the performance of electric forklifts during initial demos.
- Big Joe says some electric units are so powerful they must be “detuned.”
- Big Joe reports customers seeing “80 to 90% savings just in fuel alone.”
Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments.
Guest Information
For more information on Big Joe Forklifts, click here.
To connect with Martin Boyd on LinkedIn, click here.
For more information about lithium forklifts, check out the podcasts below.
AI Forklift Platform: Redefining the Operator Experience
IC to Electric: 90% Fuel Savings, Lower Maintenance, and Smarter Forklift Decisions
