If your business depends on forklifts to operate, you need to make an important decision: which fuel to use. The top two to compare are propane and electric. Here are 4 comparison points you need to consider:
1. Power/Torque. Propane forklifts maintain consistent, 100-percent power throughout operation. They have the ability to push heavy loads at full capacity, up and down inclines, faster, and for a longer amount of time than electric forklifts.
2. Speed. There’s no sacrificing speed with a propane lift truck. Studies have shown a maximum speed for propane lift trucks of 9.5-10.5 mph, where electric lift trucks max out at 8-9 mph.
3. Maintenance. Propane is one of the lightest, simplest hydrocarbons in existence, and, as a result, is one of the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels. There is low maintenance requirements on propane lift trucks. Electric lift trucks have the added maintenance of batteries and charging stations that are not necessary with propane versions.
4. Refueling. With propane forklifts, simply remove the empty cylinder and replace with a full one. Refueling can be completed in 5 minutes. Learn more about the specific steps of how to exchange a propane cylinder for your forklift in this article. Electric forklifts require a charged battery to operate. This may present a problem if your business is experiencing a power outage, unlike the propane alternative. Additionally, while a battery is charging, the forklift is unavailable for use.
More Information about Propane-Powered Forklifts
To learn more about propane forklifts, check out these great resources:
Re-Power Propane Forklifts Properly
History of Propane Powered Forklifts
How Many Forklift Cylinders Do You Need?