Your Guide to Industrial Electric Carts & Powered Carts

The Role of Powered Carts

For manufacturing plants and logistics operations, powered carts are becoming increasingly popular as Safety Managers look to improve ergonomics and workplace safety. Industrial electric carts offer a range of benefits, from enhanced efficiency to ergonomics, transforming the way materials are handled within industrial settings.

What are Industrial Electric Carts and Powered Carts?

Industrial electric carts, also known as powered carts, motorized carts, electric motorized wagons and battery-operated wagons, are specialist vehicles designed to transport materials and goods within industrial facilities.

Using electric motors, these carts enable goods to be moved without manual effort. Typically, operators simply press a button to start and stop movement and steer the motorized carts as required. Electric carts are available with ergonomic designs and customizable configurations, making them ideal for moving light-weight goods throughout facilities. 

What are the Benefits of Motorized Carts?

Electric carts can be used to deliver benefits across a diverse range of industries and applications, but their core benefits are:

• Increased Productivity: Streamlined material handling processes lead to improved productivity.
• Improved Worker Safety: Ergonomic designs and advanced safety features prioritize worker safety, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Applications and Use Cases of a Powered Cart

Like many other types of material handling equipment, motorized carts are used in a wide range of industries and applications – from industrial manufacturing to warehouses.

Electric industrial carts are often used within warehouses and distribution centers to facilitate material transport and order picking. Enabling goods to be efficiently transported to designated locations, motorized carts can help expedite order fulfilment.  

Within industrial operations, powered wagons are often used to assist maintenance personnel in transporting tools and equipment throughout a site, or to help production operatives move light components and parts.

4 Considerations for Choosing Motorized Carts

When selecting a motorized cart or battery-powered wagon, it’s important to consider a range of factors. 

1. Load Capacity: Assess the weight and dimensions of materials to be transported to determine the appropriate cart capacity. It’s important to consider the payload weight you wish to move, as typically motorized carts are designed to move lighter loads between 500 lbs. and 1,500 lbs. For larger, heavier loads, combining manual carts with a cart tugger or mover is typically a more scalable option. 
2. Battery Life: With any electric vehicle, it’s important to evaluate the battery performance and charging requirements to minimize downtime and ensure the battery powered cart is available when you need it.
3. Maneuverability: Consider the layout of your facility to choose carts with optimal maneuverability. This should involve assessing any positioning requirements and turns/corners that the powered cart will need to be able to make.
4. Terrain Capabilities: As with any equipment, it’s important to ensure that any industrial powered cart can move over various surfaces, including smooth floors, uneven terrain and inclines.