Electric Forklifts Gain Traction Due to Their Energy Efficiency, Simplicity, and Sustainability Benefits
Electric forklifts have clear advantages over IC forklifts. It’s a fact that we’ve established in the past within our blog series. In brief, they are:
- Environmentally Compatible: They are cleaner in terms of emissions and disposal of engine oil.
- Ergonomically Better: Electric vehicles provide a smoother ride with reduced vibration and noise, enhancing working conditions for operators and other personnel.
- Safer: Their near-silent operation improves communication between drivers and warehouse personnel. They don’t generate heat like IC forklifts do, avoiding the potential for burns.
- Cheaper to Operate: In general, in most parts of the world, the cost per hour of using an electric forklift is less than that of an IC forklift. Electric forklifts tend to have a longer lifespan. Maintenance costs for an electric forklift are a fraction of an IC forklift.
- Performance Parity: At one time, heavy-duty lifting jobs, like those at ports, could only be handled by IC forklifts. That’s changed. Now, electrics can handle these jumbo loads too.
If you have the available financing to make the leap to Li-ion battery forklifts, their advantages over IC forklifts are even greater:
- Simpler: No need for costly, space-consuming charging stations that lead-acid batteries require
- Cheaper: No need for heavy-duty equipment to remove and replace lead-acid batteries for charging. Even lower maintenance cost relative to lead-acid forklifts.
- Safer: No chance of acid spills and burns or accidents stemming from the daily replacement of heavy batteries.
- Consistent Power: Li-ion forklifts deliver the same level of power for extended periods. The power level of lead-acid forklifts tends to diminish over time during a shift.
- Tech forward: Li-ion forklifts are generally better set up for telematics, smart fleet monitoring, and easier integration with warehouse automation systems—even supporting autonomous operation.
What are my Electric Forklift Options?
You can find the perfect forklift for your facility on our website. See our Forklift Product Section for a full selection.
KION North America (Linde)
Linde 1252X Electric Forklifts
KION NA’s Linde electric counterbalance trucks are built for busy industrial operations, delivering responsive handling, energy efficiency, and operator comfort—ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
To highlight a few vehicles:
Linde’s 1252X series delivers high-performance, energy-efficient electric counterbalance forklifts designed to match the power of internal combustion models—without the emissions. Engineered for both indoor and light outdoor use, these agile trucks offer responsive handling, superior operator comfort, and streamlined maintenance. With capacities ranging from 4,400 to 7,000 lbs., the 1252X is an innovative, eco-friendly solution for demanding warehouse environments.
For even bigger tasks, check out Linde’s 1471 series of heavy-duty electrics, capable of lifting up to 39,000 lbs, and available with either lead-acid or Li-ion batteries.
Click here to find a full range of Linde trucks.
Clark GEX 40/45/50 Electric Forklift
CLARK Material Handling
This trusted brand continues to expand its electric forklift lineup to meet the shifting demands of modern material handling. Backed by a strong dealer and service network, it offers a smooth transition path for operations moving from internal combustion to electric fleets.
An example of a powerful electric CLARK forklift is the GEX 40/45/50. With their solid pneumatic tires, this series of electric forklifts is designed to transition smoothly from the warehouse to the yard.
These powerful 80-volt trucks can move up to 10,000 lbs of pallets stacked with heavyweight retail goods or lumber and stone products, rivaling IC forklifts in speed, acceleration, and gradeability. They’re also available with optional Li-ion batteries, making them even more efficient and simpler to operate.
Big Joe Forklifts
Big Joe equipment delivers compact, electric lift solutions purpose-built for flexibility, maneuverability, and ease of use in warehouse and distribution environments. Known for intuitive controls and cost-effective performance, these units excel in tight spaces where efficiency matters most.
Big Joe’s LXE50 is a four-wheel cushion-tire electric forklift engineered for maximum efficiency and simplicity, featuring a fully integrated lithium-ion power source. Offering a 5,000 lb. lift capacity, the LXE50 delivers the uptime, reduced maintenance, and energy performance advantages expected from lithium-ion, along with intuitive controls and ergonomic design for operator comfort.
Standard onboard telematics track key operational data such as key-on time, energy usage, error codes, and charging patterns. Backed by a 5-year, 10,000-hour battery warranty, the LXE50 is a smart, cost-effective solution for high-demand indoor applications.
Find the LXE50 and other Big Joe vehicles on our equipment page.
BYD Forklift
BYD offers fully integrated electric forklifts and lithium battery systems engineered for long runtimes, fast charging, and minimal maintenance. Ideal for operations prioritizing fleet electrification, BYD simplifies service and supports high-efficiency performance across demanding shifts.
The BYD ECB 40/45/50 series of high-performance, rugged forklifts features pneumatic tires, a powerful 80-volt Li-ion battery, and a full- or partial-cab enclosure for operation in inclement conditions. With capacities of up to 11,000 lb., the ECB 40/45/50 series offers maintenance-free operation and long battery life. An integrated charger that plugs into a 110V outlet simplifies charging.
Flipping the Switch: Is Electric Right for You?
Moving your forklift fleet from IC-powered forklifts to battery-powered requires some analysis to determine if the change makes sense. Here are some of the factors to consider.
(Note: See our blogs on Making the Switch from IC to Electric and Seven Reasons Companies Make the Switch from IC to Electric Forklifts for detailed analyses)
Compare Power Sources – In general, electric forklifts are more energy-efficient–up to 75% more efficient than IC forklifts. But that depends. Your facility may be located in an area where the cost of natural gas is competitive with that of electricity.
Consider Your Facility’s Infrastructure – Lead-acid battery forklifts require a dedicated charging area. Overhead cranes, washdown areas, and drains need to be installed. Using Li-ion batteries requires less space, but may require an upgraded electrical grid to handle the current necessary to charge these high-density power sources.
Do the Math – When analyzing the choice between IC and Lead-acid or Li-ion battery forklifts, consider Total Cost of Ownership rather than upfront cost. Electric forklifts, especially Li-ion forklifts, have a higher upfront cost than ICs. Consider the future costs of natural gas and electricity in your area. Tariff policies may affect the price of forklifts, batteries, and spare parts.
Make a Plan – Are you going to start by replacing your older forklifts with electrics as they retire, or are you going to retire a whole fleet and replace them? Think about starting a pilot test–buying or renting an electric forklift in a representative application and then analyzing the results.
Partner with Apex – Let our knowledgeable forklift experts review your operations and make a recommendation on the smoothest and most cost-effective way to start switching over.
Apex–Your Material Handling and Warehouse Experts
Whether you’re exploring one truck or a full fleet conversion, Apex is your trusted partner in electric forklift integration. We’ll help you make a sound financial decision–lease, buy, or rent.
We offer consultative support, product selection from top-tier manufacturers, financing options, operator training, spare parts, and long-term maintenance and service for continued success.
Ready to electrify? Contact us today to start the conversation.