Electric Forklift versus Diesel Forklift
Forklifts could function one of two ways, either by electric motor or by internal combustion (IC) motor. Electric forklifts are suitable for indoor application and cost a lot less to use. IC machines are best for outdoor application and are faster to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
Electric lifts produce no exhaust, which makes them the machinery of choice for indoor use where the quality of air is a concern. Electric forklifts are clean and are not noisy. They are 20% to 40% more expensive to buy than IC lifts, but the operating cost of electric models on a per hour basis is a lot lower. The downside is that batteries require 16 hours to charge and cool down, so the purchase of an extra set of batteries is suggested. Electric lifts are not limited to indoor use, but when used outdoors they must be utilized carefully.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts have a higher carrying capacity compared to electric forklifts and are generally used for outdoor applications. If your fleet normally runs on one type of fuel, it may be a wise idea to purchase an IC unit which uses the same type of fuel. They could run on gas, propane or diesel. Diesel is the most economical. IC forklifts have the advantage of being cheaper to operate and easy to refuel; however, their per-hour cost to operate is higher. The majority of IC models cannot be utilized indoors.
Other Forklifts
Narrow-aisle electric forklifts are suitable for limited spaces inside warehouses. They are designed to pick up loads without having to position the lift facing the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have huge tires for running on difficult surfaces.