The industrial facilities are constantly evolving how they approach lifting and access. With the increasing pressure to minimise emissions, cut expenses and enhance on-site safety,  electric aerial work platforms (AWPs) are no longer limited to the traditional fuel-operated machinery. Today, the conversation is now divided into two choices: electric AWPs and hybrid AWPs.

Electric AWPs are constructed to operate in a clean, quiet and low-maintenance manner, suitable choice for  controlled indoor settings like warehouses, aircraft hangars or cleanrooms. At the same time, hybrid aerial work platforms offer flexibility of integrating battery-powered efficiency and engine-driven power, allowing them to switch smoothly between indoor and outdoor work.

The following blog breaks down the main differences and comparison of aerial work platforms, their performance, costs, and compliance considerations, helping you to choose the best platform that fits your facility’s risk prevention, efficiency, and long-term objectives of your operation.

Understanding Electric and Hybrid Aerial Work Platforms

When selecting the appropriate aerial work platform (AWP), it is necessary to understand the difference between electric and hybrid models and their location. These models aimed at satisfying the requirements of the modern facilities, but the main distinction lies in how they’re powered and where they perform best.

1. Electric AWPs

• Electric AWPs are fully charged batteries. They produce zero emissions, operate noiselessly, and require less maintenance compared to existing fuel-powered machines. 

• These attributes make them suitable choice for –
  • Indoor settings with air quality or noise limitations
  • Operations in cleanrooms, warehouses, or aircraft hangars
  • Facilities where low operating costs and predictability matter
• In addition to being eco-friendly, they are smooth and quiet in operation, which enhances the working experience of those operating them and those in their vicinity.

2. Hybrid AWPs

• Hybrid AWPs, on the other hand comes with a dual power platform, enabling them to switch between battery and engine power.
  
• This flexibility allows them to work on –
  • Both indoors and outdoor environments.
  • Robust outdoor use with longer runtimes and higher power
  • Capability to navigate rough terrain and carry heavier loads
    
• These platforms are suitable for facilities that require versatility that switches across changing environments and weather conditions.

Comparing Performance: Power, Efficiency, and Runtime

Performance is a key factor when it comes to deciding on the aerial work platform and drawing a comparison between electric vs. hybrid aerial lifts. Both are dependable solutions, but they vary in terms of power delivery, operating duration, and general effectiveness.

1. Electric AWPs

Electric AWPs are created with the purpose of serving in constant and controlled situations. These are quiet and efficient devices that help to sustain a battery capacity that will provide strong performance during normal indoor activities. 

Electric AWP’s operation is only restricted by the battery charge, and hence they work best in a scheduled manner wherein the charge can be replenished ahead of time. The load capacity normally fits well in indoor usage like warehouse stocking, aircraft maintenance or cleanroom maintenance. 

Example:
An electric AWP would be good in an aircraft hangar where zero emissions, noiseless operation, and predictability of runtime are considered.

2. Hybrid AWPs

Hybrid AWPs like hybrid scissor lifts intervene where more flexibility is needed. Their two-system enables them to alternate smoothly between battery and engine power and therefore enables them to travel long distances without breaking down. The additional run time makes them suitable in facilities that cannot afford to be offline during long shifts or projects that may alternate between indoor and outdoor. 

Example:
A hybrid AWP would be more appropriate at a manufacturing plant with mixed operations, in which indoor assembly can be replaced with outdoor heavy-duty maintenance services.

Bailey Cranes: Tailored Solutions for Every Facility

Bailey Cranes, a small veteran-owned business located in Muskego, Wisconsin, designs and manufactures Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) as well as custom cranes for niche markets. We manufacture several types of AWPs, which have advanced features, catering to many different industries. 

Our team understands that no two facilities would experience the same issue, and that is why our solution is not just standard equipment. We design and retrofit electric and hybrid aerial work platforms to fit exact access, safety, and compliance needs when off-the-shelf machines are inadequate, as seen in cleanrooms to coal mines. 

1. Professional engineers in our group collaborate directly with aerospace, defense, and manufacturing customers and provide them solutions that minimize downtime, improve safety and ensure that operations are in compliance with OSHA, ANSI and local codes.
2. We specialize not only in custom manlifts for hard-to-reach places like aircraft hangars, radar domes, and paint booths, but also pedestal-mounted man-lifts which are safe and offer dedicated access in high-specialized installations.
3. Battery-powered and explosion-proof lifts in emissions-sensitive surroundings, electrical insulated platforms to heavy-voltage operations, magnetically shielded systems to locations where electromagnetic interference is an issue, are also engineered by us. 
4. In more specialized projects, we provide bespoke aerial lifts like hybrid boom lifts and electric boom lifts that are designed and made on-site, with advanced features such as omni-drive steering to ensure accurate positioning and high productivity.

Every solution is based on safety. We have collision prevention systems that have laser sensors and smart zone mapping and automatic stop features to protect operators, equipment and facilities by avoiding accidents before they occur. Regardless of modifying existing designs or creating completely new designs, we make sure that every platform is designed to serve effectively in the environment where downtime would cost companies expensive compliance fines.

Bailey Cranes holds certifications, engineering experience, and decades of experience, which means that its aerial work platforms are both facility-specific and designed in a way that offers customers long-term value, risk-prevention, and performance.

Conclusion 

The decision on whether to use electric or hybrid aerial work platforms is determined by the needs of your facility. Electric lifts, like electric articulating boom lifts on the one hand, can be suitable in clean, quiet, and emission-sensitive conditions; on the other hand, hybrid systems offer greater flexibility in operations in cases that may involve the use of indoor accuracy and outdoor power. 

Both options have their own benefits, and the correct choice is determined by aspects such as the environment on worksites, the level of protective measures, and the efficiency targets in the long run. 

At Bailey Cranes, we do not just sell equipment; we provide custom solutions. Our engineering experience, compliance-based designs, and capability to customize or retrofit systems enable us to assist aerospace, manufacturing, and defense facilities to choose the safest and most efficient lift to use in their operations. The outcome is consistency in its performance, minimized risk, and equipment that is constructed according to the best standards of safety and productivity.

To learn more about our lifting solutions, contact Bailey Cranes at 262-710-4028 or email us at sales@baileycranes.com. We have an experienced team of professionals who will guide you to make the appropriate choice of an aerial work platform.