1.5 ton (compact)
For narrow spaces & light internal transport
3-wheel, maneuverable and quiet. Popular in retail, e-commerce and smaller warehouses.
Electric forklift: benefits, types & selection guide
This article explains what an electric forklift is and how to choose the right type. Would you like to rent one? You can do so on the page electric forklift rental: from 1.5 to 18 tonnes, from €75 per day (1.5 tonnes, excl. VAT).
Updated on 13 October 2026.
Looking for the best electric forklift for your warehouse, production environment or zero-emission use? Below you will find a practical selection guide (3-wheel vs 4-wheel, Li-ion vs lead, lift height, tyres and options).
✅ Always VA-approved safe & deployable
🚚 Nationwide delivery transport arranged
Tag Hyundai Specialist ZHE Trading B.V.
Quiet & zero-emission
ideal for indoor work and strict requirements
Battery choice
Li-ion for uptime, lead for standard deployment
3-wheel or 4-wheel
Flexibility vs. Stability
The right choice quickly? Bel direct 0168 467 467
Tip: Send lifting capacity, lifting height, usage (hours/day), and location for targeted advice.
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What is an electric forklift?
A electric forklift is an electric forklift (battery-powered) instead of diesel or LPG. This allows you to work stil, emission-free and often with low energy consumption per operating hour. In warehouses, manufacturing, and logistics, electric power is therefore increasingly becoming the standard.
You don’t make a real difference just by going “electric”—you do it with the right combination of: lifting capacity, mast/headroom, 3-wheel or 4-wheel, Accu-type and Tires/Options.
- Precision & comfort: Fine dosing, pleasant handling, and less noise on the work floor.
- Emission-free deployment ideal for interior work, food/retail, and locations with strict requirements.
- Maintenance & availability: With the right charging strategy, you prevent downtime.
Further elaboration Li-ion Forklift Guide • 3-wheelers vs. 4-wheelers: Choosing the right one • cooling/freezing insert
Direct to the correct page
This page is a decision aid. Do you want to Availability and offersThen go to:
Indoor/outdoor mix? Also see: LPG forklift and diesel forklift.
When do you choose electric (and when not)?
Choose electric if you work indoors or outdoors on paved ground: the forklift is quiet and produces no exhaust fumes in the workplace. For rough terrain and the heaviest loads, diesel is a better fit; for alternating indoor and outdoor use without a charging point, LPG. You can read the comparisons in electric or diesel forklift rental? and electric or LPG forklift rental?
Use this as a quick decision rule. When in doubt, call us and we'll determine the right type and configuration in 2 minutes.
| Situation | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Interior (warehouse/production) | Electric | Quiet, emission-free, precise maneuvering, pleasant for operators. |
| Mix of indoor/outdoor, peak load, quick turnaround | LPG (with ventilation inside) | Fast refueling, flexible for changing deployments. |
| Outdoor/rough terrain/heavy duty | Diesel of heavy-duty | Maximum traction, torque, and robustness for demanding conditions. |
3-wheel or 4-wheel electric forklift?
The choice is usually simple: space versus stability.
- 3-wheel smallest turning radius, ideal for narrow aisles and tight docks.
- 4-wheel more stable under heavier loads, more comfortable on uneven surfaces or when riding on uneven terrain.
- Tip meet the width, curves, and clearance heights (doors/roller shutters).
Deepening compact forklift (3-wheel) • Choice aid: 3- vs 4-wheel
Checklist: Here’s what we need to provide appropriate advice under 100%
- Heaviest burden + final center of gravity (especially with attachments).
- Lift height + clearance height (for low doors/containers).
- Usehours per day / 1-, 2- or 3-shift.
- Surface + Tire preferences (non-marking, outer tires, etc.).
- Charging optionsOutlet/3-phase, charging station, charging times.
Li-ion vs. lead-acid batteries: which is right for your application?
The battery determines your uptime. Those who work multiple shifts often benefit greatly from Li-ion batteries (opportunity charging).
Li-ion (often best for intensive use)
- Faster charging during breaks → higher availability.
- Consistent performance throughout the day.
- Less hassle with battery replacement/battery compartments.
Read on: Li-ion Forklift Guide
Lead-acid battery (ideal for standard deployment)
- Proven technique, often advantageous in single-shift deployment.
- Clear charging cycle (charging/cooling) → planning is key.
- Good choice if charging infrastructure is limited.
Do you want rates? Check out: prices (or request a proposal directly).
Options that make a difference (safety & pace)
With the right options, you'll work faster and more calmly. Especially in busy warehouses and at docks.
Side shift & fork positioner
Faster positioning without repeatedly piercing → less damage and more pace.
Non-marking tires
Useful on clean floors (retail/food) and prevents black marks.
Blue Spot / Red Zone Lamp
Increased visibility at intersections and blind spots → safer internal transport.
Triplex mast & free lift
Ideal for low doors/containers and high shelves.
Cab / half-cab
Comfort and protection in colder zones or (partially) outdoor use.
Attachments
Bucket/grapple, fork extensions, clamps — always bring these due to the load center of gravity.
Attachment example: forklift with bucket.
Popular Electric Forklifts (Rental Models)
Below are a few frequently requested asset classes. Prefer everything in one overview? View the full category.
1.8–2.0 tons (most chosen)
All-round interior, tight docks
Strong mix of maneuverability and capacity. Often the fastest gain in efficiency per m².
3.0 ton (warehouse/industrial)
More stability, higher stakes
Suitable for heavier pallets and structural use. Combine smartly with Li-ion for intensive shifts.
4.0 ton (heavy duty)
80V class, solid performance
For heavier loads and longer lift cycles. Note the ground/tires for outdoor strips.
5.0 ton (heavy inside)
For heavy industry & logistics
More lifting capacity, more stability. Perfect if you want to stay electric with heavy pallets.
6 to 18 tonnes (on request)
Projects & Heavy Commitment
For heavy-duty applications, we discuss deployment, lifting height, load center of gravity, and loading strategy.
Considering a purchase? Check stock: New electric forklifts (in stock).External brand overview: Hyundai electric forklifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which electric forklift is suitable for narrow aisles?
Usually a 3-wheel (tight turning radius). Measure your aisle width, turns, and dock space.
See also: Compact forklift.
Is Li-ion always better than lead-acid?
Not always. With 2–3 shifts is Li-ion often the best choice for charging during breaks.
When 1 shift can lead work well if the charging cycle is planned well.
Deepening: Li-ion guide.
Can an electric forklift also drive (partially) outside?
Yes, provided the subsoil and tires are appropriate and you take into account weather/temperature and charging strategy.
For intensive outdoor use, we recommend considering the configuration (tires, protection, cabin).
Are the electric forklifts inspected?
Yes: our machines are Always VA-approved and are maintained according to strict standards,
so you receive equipment that is safe and ready for immediate deployment.
What's the fastest way to request a suitable quote?
Use the quote page for electric forklift rental
and in any case, please forward: lifting capacity, lifting height, usage (hours/day), location, and any options (sideshift, non-marking, etc.).
How does an electric forklift work?
An electric forklift is a counterbalance forklift powered by a battery. The load sits on the forks in front of the front axle, and the truck’s own weight keeps it in balance. The battery powers the drive motor for travelling and the hydraulic pump motor that lifts and tilts the mast.
You can see that balance in the Hyundai datasheet: with 2,000 kg on the forks, the front axle of a 20BT-9U carries 4,956 kg and the rear axle only 586 kg. The battery is part of the counterweight: Hyundai calculates the lifting capacity of the BT-9U with a battery of at least 820 kg. The rated capacity applies at a load centre of 500 mm (600 mm on the B-X from 6 to 12 tonnes) with the standard mast. With the tallest mast, a 20BT-9U lifts 1,050 kg to 7,040 mm according to the mast table (without sideshift).
What types of electric forklift are there?
Electric forklifts differ in the number of wheels, the lifting capacity and the battery voltage. Our rental range has three groups: 3-wheelers from 1.5 to 2 tonnes, 4-wheelers from 2 to 3.5 tonnes and heavy electric forklifts from 4 to 18 tonnes.
| Type | Hyundai series | Capacity | Battery voltage | Lift height (depending on the mast) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-wheel | BT-9U | 1.5, 1.8 and 2 tonnes | 48 V | 3,030 to 7,040 mm |
| 4-wheel | BE-X and BH-9 | 2 to 3.5 tonnes | 48 V or 80 V | 2,950 to 7,005 mm |
| 4-wheel, heavy | B-9 | 4 to 5 tonnes | 80 V | 2,920 to 6,030 mm |
| 4-wheel, high-voltage | B-X | 5.5 to 9 tonnes | 309 to 348 V, lithium-ion | 2,720 to 7,650 mm |
| 4-wheel, high-voltage | B-X | 10 to 18 tonnes | 618 V, lithium-ion | 3,005 to 7,525 mm |
The working aisle width (Ast) in the table below is the aisle needed to put a 1000 × 1200 mm pallet into a rack or take it out at right angles; from 1.5 to 12 tonnes it rises, according to the datasheets, from 3,245 to 6,660 mm.
| Machine | Lifting capacity | Design | Turning radius | Working aisle width | Service weight | Daily rate from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric forklift 1.5 ton (ideal for narrow spaces) | 1,500 kg | 3-wheel | 1,540 mm | 3,245 mm | 3,118 kg | €75 |
| Electric forklift 2 ton (ideal for small spaces) | 2,000 kg | 3-wheel | 1,660 mm | 3,365 mm | 3,542 kg | €85 |
| Hyundai 20BE-X | 2,000 kg | 4-wheel | 1,910 mm | 3,525 mm | 3,677 kg | €85 |
| Electric forklift 2.5 tonnes | 2,500 kg | 4-wheel | 2,135 mm | 3,858 mm | 4,484 kg | €85 |
| Electric forklift 3.5 tonnes | 3,500 kg | 4-wheel | 2,457 mm | 4,130 mm | 5,272 kg | €105 |
| Electric forklift 6 tonnes | 6,000 kg | 4-wheel | 3,380 mm | 5,190 mm | 9,704 kg | on request |
| Electric forklift 12 tonnes | 12,000 kg | 4-wheel | 4,350 mm | 6,660 mm | 16,160 kg | on request |
Technical data: VDI 2198 data sheets from Hyundai Material Handling (standard version). Daily rate excl. VAT; the current price is shown on the machine's page.
What battery does an electric forklift have?
Hyundai’s BT-9U, BE-X, BH-9 and B-9 run on 48 or 80 volts; lithium-ion is an option on the BT-9U and the BE-X. The heavy B-X uses a high-voltage lithium-ion battery of the LFP type (lithium iron phosphate), from 309 to 618 volts.
| Model | Battery per datasheet | Lithium-ion | Battery weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15BT-9U, 18BT-9U, 20BT-9U | 48 V / 440 Ah (15BT-9U) or 510 Ah | option: 51.5 V / 376 or 470 Ah | at least 820 or 1,000 kg |
| 20BE-X | lead-acid 48 V / 420 Ah, option 450 Ah | option: 51.2 V / 300 Ah | 707 kg |
| 25BE-X | lead-acid 48 V / 600 Ah, option 660 Ah | option: 51.2 V / 450 Ah | 950 kg |
| 35BE-X | lead-acid 80 V / 500 Ah, option 550 Ah | option: 83.2 V / 450 Ah | 1,295 kg |
| 40B-9, 45B-9, 50B-9 | 80 V / 700 Ah | not stated | 2,095 to 2,200 kg |
| 55B-X to 90B-X | lithium-ion (LFP), 309 or 348 V, 53 to 93 kWh | standard | 714 or 730 kg |
| 100B-X, 120B-X | lithium-ion (LFP), 618 V, 140 or 166 kWh | standard | 2,050 kg |
According to Hyundai’s BT-9U brochure, a lithium-ion battery needs no topping up with water, gives off no hazardous gases while charging and lasts more than 4,000 charging cycles, at least twice as long as a lead-acid battery. The battery fitted to your rental machine is set out in the quotation. The trade-offs are explained in lead-acid or lithium-ion forklift.
Electric forklift, diesel or LPG: what is the difference?
An electric forklift produces no exhaust fumes at the workplace; an LPG or diesel forklift has a combustion engine. We rent out electric forklifts from 1.5 to 18 tonnes, LPG from 1.5 to 5 tonnes and diesel from 2.5 to 30 tonnes.
| Feature | Electric | LPG | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity in our rental range | 1.5 to 18 tonnes | 1.5 to 5 tonnes | 2.5 to 30 tonnes |
| Daily rental from, excl. VAT | €75 | €70 | €75 |
| Energy | battery, charged from the mains | gas bottle, swapped when empty | diesel tank, refuelled |
| Exhaust fumes at the workplace | none | yes; Hyundai L-9A: Stage V with catalytic converter | yes; Hyundai D-9V: Stage V with particulate filter (DOC + DPF) |
Diesel comes with extra rules at the workplace. According to Arboportaal, the Dutch government’s occupational health and safety portal, diesel engine exhaust is carcinogenic, and since 1 July 2020 a legal limit of 10 micrograms of respirable elemental carbon per cubic metre of air has applied. Arboportaal names forklifts as a source of diesel fumes and states that the first step is to check whether the diesel engine can be replaced by another type of drive, such as an electric one.
According to Hyundai, cabin noise in the 60B-X to 90B-X is up to 14 dB lower than in diesel models. Detailed comparisons are in electric or diesel forklift hire and electric or LPG forklift hire.
What does it cost to hire an electric forklift?
You can hire an electric forklift from €75 per day, excl. VAT. For rentals of 3 months or longer a monthly rate applies; from 4 tonnes the price is on request. For a few days or a week, see forklift rental per day.
- Transport is listed separately in the quotation.
- Every rental machine is delivered VA-inspected, throughout the Netherlands from Heijningen.
- You will receive a response to your request within one working day.
How the rental price is built up is explained under forklift rental prices. All models and the quotation form are at electric forklift hire.
More questions about the electric forklift
How much does an electric forklift weigh?
According to Hyundai’s datasheets, a 1.5-tonne electric forklift weighs 3,118 kg (15BT-9U), a 3.5-tonne model 5,272 kg (35BE-X) and a 12-tonne model 16,160 kg (120B-X), each including the battery. If the forklift has to cross an upper floor, dock leveller or tail lift, allow for its own weight plus the load.
How long does the battery last on one charge?
For the B-X, Hyundai states up to 11 hours of operation with the 93 kWh battery (4 to 9 tonnes) and up to 12 hours with the 166 kWh battery (10 to 13 tonnes), each after about 2 hours of charging with a 40 kW or 120 kW charger respectively, and up to 7.5 hours for the 16 and 18-tonne models. Hyundai gives no hours for the BT-9U and BE-X; the BT-9U uses 5 kWh per hour in the VDI test cycle. According to Hyundai, the actual run time depends on the work and the conditions. Charging safely: setting up a battery charging station.
Which electric forklift can work outdoors?
Hyundai describes the BE-X and the B-9 as suitable for indoor and outdoor use. According to Hyundai, the B-X is built for outdoor work, including rain, snow and severe cold: the battery and motors are rated IP67, and all B-X models have passed a water spray test, a flooding test and a cold-climate endurance test. Hyundai describes the 3-wheel BT-9U for indoor warehouse work; its motors are rated IP43 and its controllers IP65.
Sources: Hyundai Material Handling: BT-9U series (brochure and datasheet 15/18/20BT-9U) · Hyundai Material Handling: BE-X series 1.6 and 2 tonnes (datasheet and option list 16/20BE-X) · Hyundai Material Handling: BE-X series 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes (datasheet and option list 25/30/35BE-X) · Hyundai Material Handling: BH-9 series 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes · Hyundai Material Handling: B-9 series 4 to 5 tonnes (datasheet 40/45/50B-9) · Hyundai Material Handling: B-X series 4 to 5.5 tonnes (brochure and datasheet 40/45/50/55B-X) · Hyundai Material Handling: B-X series 6 to 9 tonnes (brochure and datasheet 60/70/80/90B-X) · Hyundai Material Handling: B-X series 10 to 13 tonnes (brochure and datasheet 100/120/130B-X) · Hyundai Material Handling: B-X series 16 and 18 tonnes · Hyundai Material Handling: L-9A/LN-9A series (LPG, brochure) · Hyundai Material Handling: D-9V/DN-9V series (diesel, brochure) · Arboportaal: What does the law say about diesel engine exhaust? (Dutch) · Arboportaal: Where do workers encounter diesel engine exhaust? (Dutch) · Arboportaal: Measures against diesel engine exhaust (Dutch)
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Forklift overview
Electric forklift rentalQuiet and emission-free, for warehouse, food and production.
LPG forklift rentalUsable indoors and outdoors, with quick gas cylinder swaps.
Diesel forklift rentalPower and grip for outdoors and heavy loads.
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