Which Forklift: Electric or Internal Combustion?

A forklift is essential equipment for every warehouse. They are also used in logistics and transshipment centers. In many production facilities, it’s hard to imagine efficient work without forklifts. Thanks to them, it’s possible to transport heavy loads safely and efficiently. Today, the market offers various models of these vehicles. Among them, we can distinguish electric forklifts and internal combustion forklifts. Which of these models should you choose?

Types of Forklifts

As mentioned, the market offers various types of forklifts. Normal functioning in warehouse and factory halls is almost impossible without them today. However, for a forklift to fulfill its purpose, it must be properly matched to specific needs and working conditions. The vehicles in question can be categorized according to various criteria. One of them is the type of drive used. From this perspective, we can distinguish electric forklifts and internal combustion forklifts. Both models, as you can imagine, differ from each other primarily in their power source. Electric forklifts are equipped with a battery, while internal combustion forklifts need gasoline to operate. The power source is particularly significant here and affects the vehicles’ performance, application, and work safety. So, which forklift should you choose: electric or internal combustion?

Electric vs Internal Combustion Forklift – Workplace

Forklifts can be used both inside warehouse halls and outdoors. However, in the case of electric and internal combustion forklifts, their place of use is particularly significant. As you can imagine, internal combustion forklifts are characterized by exhaust emissions. Although modern internal combustion forklifts are equipped with special filters, this doesn’t completely solve the problem. Therefore, if you’re planning to purchase a forklift that will be used primarily inside a hall, an internal combustion forklift won’t be the best choice. Such a forklift might work in a semi-open space. The situation is different with electric forklifts. Since these vehicles don’t emit any harmful substances, they can successfully be used in enclosed spaces.

Electric vs Internal Combustion Forklift – Acoustics

When answering the question of which forklift to purchase – electric or internal combustion – attention must also be paid to how much noise is associated with using a specific model. There’s no denying that electric forklifts work much quieter compared to internal combustion ones. An electric forklift will therefore work very well in rooms where many people work. Workers won’t need to use additional accessories to protect against noise. When it comes to noise, the difference between both forklift models can be as much as 20-30 dB.

Electric vs Internal Combustion Forklift – Performance

To fully decide which forklift to choose – electric or internal combustion – the performance of these devices must also be addressed. In this case, the internal combustion forklift performs much better. When talking about performance, we mean how long the vehicle can work without interruption. Electric forklifts are equipped with a battery that needs to be charged quite frequently, and this process itself takes quite a long time. Often the charging time is even 8-12 hours, and one charge usually lasts for one day of work. Internal combustion forklifts can work much longer and don’t need to be charged. You just need to add fuel to the tank and the forklift can work immediately. Finally, it’s worth mentioning lifting capacity. In this case, internal combustion forklifts also have the advantage. They can lift up to 20 tons. Electric forklifts, on the other hand, can only lift a few tons.