Which is better, Electric or LP Gas Forklift?

When choosing the type of forklift to purchase, the consumer faces a difficult question, what forklift better fits my application? Electric or LPG? The answer is not a simple one and it takes a thorough investigation to uniquely fit the application. In this Blog, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of both electric forklifts and LP gas forklifts.

Advantages of Electric Forklifts:
o    No emissions - increasing air quality & more environmentally friendly. Providing a safer working environment for employees
o    Quieter operating noises
o    No weekly fuel costs
o    Lower maintenance costs than LP Gas forklifts

Disadvantages of Electric Forklifts:
o    Initial Costs add up for Chargers and Batteries
o    Warehouse space is required to store chargers and battery equipment
o    Must own multiple batteries to avoid wasted time during multiple shifts to allow for recharging time. This leads to more upfront costs.

Advantages of LP Gas Forklifts:
o    Capable of being used with ease both inside & outside
o    Switching an LP tank out is quick and painless. Reduces downtime when compared with an Electric forklift needing a charge that could take hours
o    Cheaper initial costs to buy new than Electric Forklifts

Disadvantages of LP Gas Forklifts:
o    Maintenance and fuel costs are high
o    Emissions given off by LP Gas are detrimental to environment and reduce air quality of working environment for employees
o    Fuel Costs are variable and cannot be controlled

At the end of the day, what matters most is the application of and environment where the forklift will soon be delivered. There are upsides and downsides to each type of forklift, but each individual consumer must analyze and evaluate which factors are most important to them. Most importantly, Forklifts of Minnesota, Inc. is here to help you along in this process and to get you the most applicable forklift for your site.