What are the differences between LPG forklifts and electric forklifts?

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The following is a comparison of the core differences between LPG forklifts (liquefied petroleum gas forklifts) and electric forklifts (Electric Forklifts), covering dimensions such as power source, applicable scenarios, cost, maintenance and environmental protection, to help you choose the most suitable equipment according to your actual needs:

I.Overview of core differences

II.Detailed comparison and selection suggestions

1. Power and endurance

- LPG forklift:

- Advantages: fast refueling speed (3-5 minutes), suitable for multi-shift continuous operation; strong power, suitable for heavy load (3-5 tons) and climbing needs.

- Limitations: dependent on LPG supply, gas cylinders need to be replaced regularly.

- Electric forklift:

- Advantages: lithium batteries support fast charging (charged to 80% in 1 hour), suitable for intermittent operation; lead-acid batteries are low cost but slow to charge (6-8 hours).

- Limitations: battery performance decays significantly in low temperature environments (such as -20℃ cold storage).

Applicable scenarios:

- Choose LPG: construction sites, ports, mixed warehousing (indoor and outdoor switching).

- Choose electric: food factories, electronic workshops, hospitals, libraries (low noise/no pollution).

2. Economic comparison

- Purchase cost:

- Electric forklifts (lithium batteries) are 20%-40% more expensive than LPG forklifts, but government subsidies (such as EU environmental subsidies) can reduce actual costs.

- Operating costs (taking a 5-ton forklift for 8 hours per day as an example):

- LPG forklift: fuel cost is about ￥200/day (LPG price fluctuations have a great impact).

- Electric forklift: electricity cost is about ￥50/day (lead-acid battery) + battery replacement cost (￥15,000-30,000/time).

Recommendation:

- If the average daily use is >10 hours, the total cost of LPG forklift is lower; if <6 hours, electric forklift is more economical.

3. Environmental protection and regulations

- LPG forklift:

- CO₂ emissions are much lower than diesel forklifts, suitable for places with less stringent requirements on exhaust gas (such as semi-open warehouses).

- Must comply with local LPG storage safety regulations (such as ventilation and fire prevention).

- Electric forklift:

- Zero emission, meets strict environmental standards such as EU CE and US EPA, suitable for clean industries such as food and medicine.

- Used batteries must be recycled according to environmental regulations (the recycling rate of lead-acid batteries exceeds 98%).

4. Maintenance and life

- LPG forklift:

- Simple maintenance (engine structure is similar to that of a car), low spare parts cost (such as spark plugs, filter elements).

- Lifespan is about 10-12 years (average annual maintenance fee is ￥3000-5000).

- Electric forklift:

- Batteries need to be maintained regularly (add water, equalize charging), lithium batteries are maintenance-free but costly.

- Lifespan is about 8-10 years (lead-acid batteries are replaced 2-3 times, and lithium batteries have a lifespan of more than 8 years).

III. Decision-making Guide

Conditions for selecting LPG forklifts

- High-intensity continuous operation is required (such as port container handling).

- The operating environment temperature is extremely low (such as -25℃ cold storage, electric forklift batteries are prone to failure).

- Limited budget and no access to stable charging facilities.

Conditions for choosing electric forklifts

- Indoor clean environment (such as food factories, electronic workshops).

- Strict environmental regulations (such as the EU and North American markets).

- Short average daily usage time (<8 hours) and low electricity costs.

IV. Alternative: Dual-powered forklifts

If you need to balance flexibility and environmental protection, you can consider dual-powered forklifts (LPG+electric):

- Advantages: Use electric mode indoors (zero emissions) and switch to LPG power outdoors (no worries about endurance).

- Cost: 15%-20% higher than single-powered forklifts.

Summary

- LPG forklifts: cost-effective, adaptable to complex working conditions, suitable for companies with limited budgets and high-intensity operations.

- Electric forklifts: Long-term environmental protection dividends are obvious, suitable for high-end markets that pursue sustainability and compliance.