Electric versus IC Used Forklifts

There’s a verbal battle raging in the world of forklifts. Proponents of electric forklifts passionately argue their case, while IC forklift lovers doggedly stick to their guns. Some even say IC forklifts are destined to go the way of the dinosaur. Is there any merit to the arguments coming from both sides of the fence?

Electric versus IC Used Forklifts

Electric forklifts got the upper hand when concerns about the environmental impact of fossil fuels were raised. Environmentalists argued that battery-powered lift trucks were already with us, so IC forklifts should be phased out. This sounded good in theory, but only to those who didn’t actually operate forklifts. Forklift owners and operators took a more pragmatic approach, but controversy remains.

Advocates of electric forklifts argue that there are significant cost benefits to electric forklifts over their IC counterparts and have statistics to back them up. Even taking the cost of battery replacement into account, the running costs of electric forklifts are lower than IC and long-term maintenance costs are lower, too.

“That’s great,” said IC forklift operators, “but electric forklifts don’t have enough grunt to do the jobs we need to do.” That’s a valid argument and should put to rest the electric versus IC used forklift debate. Choosing a used forklift should be a matter of choosing the right lift truck for you.

Electric forklift technology is evolving, but as yet, little if any of the new technology has trickled down into the used forklift market. For now, used electric forklifts have their limitations:

• Solid tires are suitable for use on smooth, flat surfaces only.
• Load capacities of electric forklifts are more limited than those of IC forklifts.
• Electric forklifts have to be recharged periodically.

If you need a rough terrain forklift or the option of operating your forklift indoors or outdoors, you probably need an IC-used forklift. If your forklift is going to be operated indoors, an electric lift truck is probably your best choice unless it has to handle heavy loads or operate continuously through 2 or 3 shifts.

While it’s true that electric forklifts have cost benefits over time, the initial investment can be higher than an IC forklift. However, if you’re shopping for a used forklift, the price differences can be less significant. Keep an open mind when looking for used and reconditioned forklifts online and you can probably find the perfect lift truck for you at the right price.

The bottom line is that the “electric versus IC used forklifts” controversy is, as Shakespeare wrote, an argument “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Both electric and IC lift trucks have their place. All you need to do is find which one has its place in your facility.