Diesel Forklifts Vs. Electric Forklifts
A forklift could function either by an electric motor or by an internal combustion or IC motor. Electric forklifts are suitable for use indoors and cost much less to use. IC machines are best for outdoor use and are faster to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
Electric lifts produce no exhaust, that makes them the machine of choice for indoor applications where the quality of air is a problem. Electric forklifts are not noisy and clean. They are 20 - 40 percent more expensive to buy compared to IC lifts, but the per-hour operating cost of electric models is much lower. The downside is that batteries require 16 hours to charge and cool down, so buying an extra set of batteries is recommended. Electric lifts are not limited to indoor application, but when utilized outdoors they must be used cautiously.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts have a higher carrying capacity than electric forklifts and are generally used for outdoor applications. If your fleet generally runs on one kind of fuel, it may be a good idea to buy an IC unit that uses the same fuel. They can function on gas, propane or diesel. Diesel is the least expensive. IC forklifts have the advantage of being less expensive to operate and easy to refuel; nonetheless, their per-hour cost to operate is higher. Nearly all IC models cannot be used indoors.
Other Kinds of Forklifts
Narrow-aisle electric forklifts are suitable for tight spaces in warehouses. They are constructed to pick up loads without having to position the lift facing the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have large tires for running on hard surfaces.