Every business that is about to buy a forklift faces this question: electric or diesel forklift? Most answers you find online are either very superficial (“electric is green!”) or shaped by whatever the seller has in stock.
In this article we compare the two on where they work and total cost — which one really wins in which situation.
The clearest distinction first: where will it work?
This question comes before everything else, and it often settles the decision on its own.
If it will work indoors → electric, no question. Warehouses, factory floors, cold stores, food plants, supermarket stockrooms. A diesel forklift produces exhaust gas indoors; with insufficient ventilation that is an occupational safety issue. In food and pharmaceutical facilities it is usually not permitted anyway.
If it will work outdoors on tough ground → diesel has the edge. Building sites, timber yards, scrap yards, muddy or broken ground. A diesel forklift is more robust in these conditions and has a torque advantage.
If it’s a mix of both → look at the proportion. If more than 70% of the time is indoors, lean towards electric.
Purchase price
The purchase price of an electric forklift is generally higher than a diesel of the same capacity. The main reason is the battery pack — the most expensive single part of the forklift.
At EKSFORK the 2-tonne Rippa RF20E electric forklift starts from 599.000 ₺ (excluding VAT). It comes with a 4.5-metre triplex mast and a 2-year / 2,000-hour warranty.
Running costs: this is where the gap opens
The electric forklift wins back the difference in purchase price on the running-cost side; this is where the total cost of an electric forklift really comes down. In three areas:
1. Energy cost
Charging with electricity is markedly cheaper than buying diesel fuel. The gap grows as daily operating hours increase. In a warehouse running shifts, this item alone adds up to a serious sum.
2. Maintenance cost
Things an electric forklift doesn’t have: engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter, timing belt, exhaust, radiator. An electric motor has far fewer moving parts.
On a diesel forklift, periodic maintenance comes every 250–500 hours, with an oil and filter change each time. On an electric one, maintenance is mostly about battery checks, brakes and hydraulics.
3. Downtime
Less maintenance = less downtime. In a business where shipping depends on the forklift, a machine standing still costs more than the maintenance bill.
The real disadvantages of electric forklifts
Let’s be honest — electric has its weak points too:
Charging time and shift planning Charging the battery takes time. If you work a single shift there’s no problem: you charge overnight. But in a facility running 24/7 you need either a spare battery pack or fast-charging infrastructure — both are extra costs.
Battery life A battery pack doesn’t last forever. When it reaches the end of its life, replacement is expensive. Include this in your purchase decision.
Performance on tough ground On muddy, very uneven or steep ground, a diesel forklift copes more easily.
Charging infrastructure You need suitable electrical wiring and a charging point. If your facility doesn’t have them, that is a small extra investment.
How many years until the difference pays off?
The honest answer: it depends on how intensively you use it; we can’t give a single figure.
Think of it roughly like this — the extra you pay for electric is recovered faster as daily operating hours increase:
- 2–3 hours of use a day: The difference takes a long time to recover. Diesel is a reasonable choice too.
- 6–8 hours of use a day: Electric usually pulls ahead within a few years.
- Shift work, intensive use: Electric is clearly ahead — but plan the spare battery/charging set-up from the start.
To do your own calculation, send us your daily operating hours, your current fuel costs and your electricity unit price; we will prepare a comparison for you.
Choosing the capacity: how many tonnes?
The other big factor in the price is capacity. The rule here is clear:
Don’t calculate your heaviest load — calculate your heaviest load plus a safety margin. A forklift that constantly works at its capacity limit wears out faster.
Lift height is also linked to capacity: a forklift’s 2-tonne capacity applies at ground level; it may not lift the same load at 4.5 metres. Tell us your rack height and we will share the real capacity at that height.
The RF20E’s triplex mast reaches 4.5 metres and is designed for working between racks in enclosed warehouses.
Be sure to ask before you buy
- How many kg does it lift at this height? (not the capacity at ground level)
- Is the battery pack’s warranty separate? Is it the same as the machine warranty?
- Is the charger included in the price?
- How many days does it take the service team to reach us?
- Are spare parts in stock? — When the forklift stops, your shipping stops
At EKSFORK forklifts come with a 2-year / 2,000-hour warranty; spare parts stock and our service network in 81 provinces support you after the sale.
Summary
| Electric | Diesel | |
|---|---|---|
| Indoors | ✅ Suitable | ❌ Exhaust problem |
| Outdoor/tough ground | Medium | ✅ Advantageous |
| Purchase | Higher | Lower |
| Fuel cost | ✅ Low | High |
| Maintenance | ✅ Little | More |
| Noise | ✅ Quiet | Noisy |
| 24/7 use | Needs a charging plan | ✅ Continuous |
If it will work in a warehouse, factory or other enclosed space, electric is almost always the right choice. If it will work outdoors on tough ground without breaks, consider diesel.
