Electric pallet truck or hand pallet truck: which should you choose?
Short answer: an electric pallet truck pays off if you move a lot of pallets every day, have heavy pallets or cover longer routes. The machine drives and lifts electrically, so your employee does not have to pull and pump. A hand pallet truck is sufficient for the occasional pallet over a short distance on a level floor. You can rent an electric pallet truck from €45 per day, excl. VAT.
Updated on · prices excl. VAT · transport listed separately in the quote
What is the difference between an electric pallet truck and a hand pallet truck?
An electric pallet truck drives and lifts on battery power, while a hand pallet truck is operated entirely by hand. With the manual version, you pump the forks up with the handle and pull or push the load yourself. A pallet truck is also called a pump truck. It is the same machine.
| Feature | Electric pallet truck | Hand pallet truck |
|---|---|---|
| Driving and lifting | Electric | By hand: pumping with the handle, pulling or pushing yourself |
| Load capacity in our rental range | 1.5 to 2.5 tonnes | 2.5 tonnes (Hyundai 25HP) |
| Models in our rental range | 7: pedestrian or ride-on with a platform | 1 |
| Battery and charging | Lithium-ion or lead-acid, depending on the model. You need a charging point. | No battery, no charging point needed |
| Distance | Walk on short routes, ride on longer routes | Short distances |
| Suited to | Daily internal transport, loading and unloading, busy shifts | The occasional pallet, between workstations or as a backup |
| Rental price per day | From €45 (1.5 tonnes) | On request |
Prices excl. VAT. Both machines only lift the pallet clear of the floor.
Need a forklift for your work?
Tell us what you want to lift; we will advise you on the right machine and send a no-obligation quote.
When does an electric pallet truck pay off?
An electric pallet truck pays off as soon as moving pallets is daily work. The motor drives and lifts. Your employee does not have to set the load in motion themselves. Choose electric in these situations:
- you move a lot of pallets every day, for example when loading and unloading at the dock;
- your pallets are heavy, such as drinks, tiles, bagged goods or paper;
- you cover longer routes between goods receipt, storage, production and dispatch;
- you work with a loading ramp: according to Hyundai, the EP-X series is well suited to use on loading ramps;
- you are expecting a busy period, a stocktake or a warehouse move.
When is a hand pallet truck sufficient?
A hand pallet truck is sufficient if you move the occasional pallet, over a short distance and on a level floor. It has no battery and therefore needs no charging point. That is handy from the lorry into the hall, between workstations or as a backup alongside an electric machine. We rent out one hand pallet truck: the Hyundai 25HP, with a load capacity of 2.5 tonnes and a quick-lift system. The rental price is on request.
Which electric pallet truck should you choose?
That depends on the pallet weight, the space and the distance. We rent out three series of electric pallet trucks from Hyundai:
- EP-XB (1.5 and 2 tonnes): compact, with a lithium-ion battery, for tight spaces;
- EP-X (1.6, 2 and 2.5 tonnes): for daily internal transport, with lithium-ion or lead-acid. The 2-tonne Hyundai 20EP-X is the all-rounder;
- EPR-X (2 and 2.5 tonnes): with a ride-on platform, for longer routes.
All models are listed on the page pallet truck rental.
What does it cost to rent an electric pallet truck?
You can rent an electric pallet truck from €45 per day, excl. VAT. That price applies to 1.5 tonnes. For 1.6 to 2.5 tonnes you pay €50 per day. You can rent from as little as one day, and also per week or per month. The monthly rate applies to rentals from 3 months. Transport costs are listed separately in the quote. For the hand pallet truck, the price is on request. All rates can be found in our overview of rental prices.
What do you need to charge an electric pallet truck?
You need a charging point on site. You top up a lithium-ion battery in between, for example during a break. With a lead-acid battery, you plan in the charging time. Do you have no charging point? Then a hand pallet truck is the simple solution. You can read about the difference between the battery types in lead-acid or lithium-ion.
Do you need a certificate for an electric pallet truck?
No, a certificate is not required by law. However, the employer provides instruction and must be able to demonstrate that the operator is competent. You can read the rules in who is allowed to drive a forklift.
Does the pallet also need to go into racking?
Then you need a stacker, not a pallet truck. A pallet truck only lifts the pallet clear of the floor. A stacker can be rented from €55 per day, excl. VAT. Do you have high racking? Then read stacker or reach truck. The choice between the machines is explained in pallet truck, stacker or forklift rental.
Selection guide: electric or by hand?
Choose an electric pallet truck if …
- you move a lot of pallets every day;
- your pallets are heavy, up to 2,500 kg;
- you cover longer routes or work with a loading ramp;
- you have a charging point on site.
Choose a hand pallet truck if …
- you move the occasional pallet;
- the distance is short and the floor is level;
- you have no charging point;
- you are looking for a backup alongside an electric machine.
Rent a pallet truck or request a quote
We deliver every rental machine VA-keur inspected. We arrange the transport and agree the delivery date with you when you make your request. For a sound proposal we ask for: weight of the heaviest pallet, distance, space, floor and slopes, charging point, rental period and delivery address.
