Electric or LPG: which forklift should you rent?
Short answer: rent an electric forklift if you work mainly indoors. It is quiet and produces no exhaust fumes in the workplace. Rent an LPG forklift if you alternate between indoors and outdoors or have no charging point. Indoors, use it only in a well-ventilated space. Electric can be rented from 1.5 to 18 tonnes from €75 per day, LPG from 1.5 to 5 tonnes from €70 per day, excl. VAT.
Updated on · prices excl. VAT · transport listed separately in the quote
What is the difference between an electric and an LPG forklift?
The difference lies in the drive: an electric forklift runs on a battery, an LPG forklift on gas from a cylinder. An LPG forklift therefore has a combustion engine. That determines where you use the forklift and what you arrange on site.
| Feature | Electric forklift | LPG forklift |
|---|---|---|
| Area of operation | Indoors and on paved outdoor surfaces | Outdoors, and indoors in a well-ventilated space |
| Lifting capacity | 1.5 to 18 tonnes | 1.5 to 5 tonnes |
| Rental price per day | From €75 (1.5 tonnes) | From €70 (1.5 tonnes) |
| Energy | Charging. With lithium-ion you can opportunity charge. | Swap the gas cylinder and keep working |
| Emissions and noise in the workplace | No exhaust fumes, quiet | Exhaust fumes, though cleaner and quieter than diesel |
| Fully enclosed space | Yes | In that case we recommend electric |
| What you arrange on site | A charging point with a connection | Gas cylinders |
| Typical use | Warehouse, production and food | Loading and unloading, dispatch and outdoor yard |
Prices excl. VAT. From a lifting capacity of 4 tonnes (4,000 kg), the price is on request. Fuel is at the renter's expense.
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 should you choose an electric forklift?
Choose electric if you work mainly indoors, especially in an enclosed space. An electric forklift produces no exhaust fumes in the workplace and is quiet. That suits work in a warehouse, in production and with food. We rent out electric forklifts from 1.5 to 18 tonnes, in 21 models. Do you work in shifts? Then choose a lithium-ion battery. You top it up during breaks. You can read which battery suits your application in lead-acid or lithium-ion.
When should you choose an LPG forklift?
Choose LPG if you alternate between indoors and outdoors, or if you cannot arrange a charging point. There is no need to charge. When the gas cylinder is empty, you swap it and keep working. That is practical for loading and unloading, in dispatch and in the outdoor yard. We rent out LPG forklifts from 1.5 to 5 tons. Popular versions are 2.5, 3 and 3.5 tonnes.
Can you use an LPG forklift indoors?
Yes, if the space is well ventilated. An LPG forklift has a combustion engine and therefore produces exhaust fumes. They are cleaner than with diesel, but they do need to be able to escape. For a fully enclosed space we recommend an electric forklift. When you make your request, tell us how the space is ventilated. We will then advise which drive is suitable.
What is the difference in rental price?
An LPG forklift is priced slightly lower per day: from €70, compared with €75 for electric. Both prices apply to 1.5 tonnes and are excl. VAT. At 2.5 tonnes you pay €75 per day for LPG and €85 for electric. At 3 and 3.5 tonnes that is €80 and €105. From a lifting capacity of 4 tonnes (4,000 kg), the price is on request, for LPG and for electric. You rent per day, per week or per month. The monthly rate applies to rentals from 3 months. With LPG, factor in the fuel: the gas cylinder is at your expense. Transport costs are listed separately in the quote. All rates can be found in our overview of rental prices.
What do you arrange on site: a charging point or gas cylinders?
For electric you arrange a charging point with a suitable connection, for LPG gas cylinders. We work with you in advance on the charging point and the connection. You can read how to set up such a point safely in setting up a battery charging station for forklifts. For LPG you do not need a connection. You do need to make sure a full cylinder is ready when the first one runs empty.
What do you choose for more than 5 tonnes of lifting capacity?
Then choose electric or diesel, because an LPG forklift can be rented up to and including 5 tonnes. Electric goes up to 18 tonnes, diesel up to 30 tonnes. You can read which of the two is suitable in electric or diesel forklift rental. For the heaviest loads, take a look at our heavy-duty forklifts.
Do you work outdoors only: LPG or diesel after all?
In a paved outdoor yard you can work with LPG; for rough or unpaved terrain, choose diesel. A diesel forklift can be rented from 2.5 to 30 tonnes, from €75 per day (2.5 tonnes, excl. VAT). The trade-off between the two is covered in Diesel or LPG for outdoor work.
Selection guide: electric or LPG?
Choose electric if …
- you work mainly indoors, including in an enclosed space;
- you want no exhaust fumes and little noise in the workplace;
- you need to lift more than 5 tonnes, up to 18 tonnes;
- you have a charging point or can arrange one.
Choose LPG if …
- you alternate between indoors and outdoors;
- the space where you drive indoors is well ventilated;
- you need a lifting capacity of 1.5 to 5 tonnes;
- you have no charging point and want to keep working without charging time.
Still unsure? Then read which forklift you need.
Choose your forklift 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 load, lift height, surface, indoors or outdoors, ventilation of the space, rental period and delivery address.
