Diesel Forklifts Versus Electric Forklifts
A forklift could be powered either by an electric motor or by an internal combustion or IC motor. Electric forklifts are best for indoor use and cost less to use. IC machines are suitable for outdoor application and are quicker to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
For indoor use, where the quality of air is a problem, the electric forklift is the suitable machine you could use because it produces no exhaust. Electric forklifts are clean and are not noisy. They are 20 - 40 percent more expensive to purchase than IC lifts, but the operating cost of electric models on a per hour basis is less. The downside is that batteries need 16 hours to charge and cool down, so buying an extra set of batteries is recommended. Electric lifts are not limited for use indoors, but when utilized outdoors they must be used cautiously.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts are for outdoor use, and their carrying capacity is more than electric forklifts. If your fleet normally runs on one kind of fuel, it may be a wise choice to purchase an IC unit that uses the same type of fuel. They could function on propane, diesel or gas. Diesel is the least expensive. IC forklifts have the advantage of being easy to refuel and cheaper to operate; then again, their per-hour cost to operate is higher. Nearly all IC models cannot be used indoors.
Other Forklifts
In warehouses where there are limited spaces, the narrow aisle electric forklift is most suitable. They are constructed to pick up loads without having to position the lift facing the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have big tires for running on difficult surfaces.