When purchasing a new forklift, one of the most important factors to consider is its fuel type. It’s essential that your choice of fuel is suitable for the type of jobs you undertake, your budget and your operating environment.

The most common forklift fuel types available in Australia include battery electric (lead acid and lithium ion), LPG and diesel. In this blog, we’ve taken a closer look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of each fuel type to assist you in making the right choice.

Battery Electric
There are two types of battery electric forklift to choose from – lead acid and lithium ion. Lead acid models are powered by either a single battery or a fuel cell, whilst lithium ion is a newer more innovative battery that supplies the machine with consistent power.

Lead Acid - Advantages
 Batteries are a more environmentally friendly option – they can even be operated indoors due to lack of emissions.
 These models feature a smaller turning circle and increased manoeuvrability, which makes them easier to operate in narrow spaces and aisles.
 Electric forklifts have a longer lifespan compared to other types.
 Battery power generates a lower level of noise, which can assist with ease of communication amongst your workers.

Lead Acid - Disadvantages
 Batteries take 8 hours to recharge, plus another 8 hours to cooldown; for 24 hour operation, you will need to invest in expensive spare batteries.
 You will also require a costly well-ventilated recharge station to be built to keep them in optimum condition.

Lithium Ion – Advantages
 These batteries are designed to deliver consistent power and voltage throughout a full charge, so no loss of power will be experienced.
 Thanks to faster charging speeds and lack of cooling down period, multi-shift operations will experience increased productivity.
 Your business will save money, as you won’t need to purchase spare batteries nor will you need to allow for additional storage space.
 These batteries can be charged throughout a shift (whenever an operator goes on break, for example), ensuring the forklift is always ready to go.

Lithium Ion – Disadvantages
 Being a new technology, the higher up-front costs can pose a barrier for smaller operations looking to invest.
 There is also an increased need to proactively manage the battery’s health b monitoring it through the use of additional management systems.

LPG
With a lift capacity between 1500kg and 8000kg, LPG forklifts are the ideal choice for warehouse and loading dock operations. They also offer the added versatility of being able to work both indoors and outdoors, which no other fuel type can do.

LPG – Advantages
 Due to their low emissions, these models offer the flexibility to be used outdoors and in well ventilated indoor areas.
 These forklifts can be quickly refuelled – it takes less than 5 minutes to change an LPG bottle versus recharging a battery.
 This is the most widely available forklift fuel type; being easier to find makes them more affordable, so you can hit the ground running.
 You will also experience even further reduced costs, as you won’t need to invest in spare batteries or build a charging station.

LPG – Disadvantages
 As the LPG tank is installed on the rear of the forklift (as a counterbalance), your rear view will be somewhat obstructed.
 When compared to battery electric models, you will experience higher fuel costs.

Diesel
With the ability to lift loads between 9000kg and 45,000kg ISO containers, diesel forklifts are the ideal choice for heavy lifting applications. Their higher ground clearance ensures that they’re suitable for working outdoors on both paved and unpaved areas.

Diesel – Advantages
 These models provide more torque than other fuel types, making them suitable for lifting high capacity loads.
 As they are less complicated internally, these machines are far more reliable.
 Diesel lasts longer than other fuel types, allowing your team to work longer before needing to stop and refuel.
 These lifts can also be quickly refuelled (in less than 5 minutes), as this is done on a bowser (similar to those used with cars at petrol stations).

Diesel – Disadvantages
 Their loud engines can disrupt communication in the workplace, which can cause problems in productivity and increase the risk.
 They can only be used in open or well ventilated spaces (in other words: outdoors) due to the level of emissions.

Whilst we hope that the information provided above has enabled you to make the right choice in forklift fuel type, if you require assistance do not hesitate to contact the Liftech team. We understand each of these fuel types in great detail and will help you reach a decision.