What's on your 2026 roster?

• Big jobs?
• Increasing efficiency?
• Combating rising fuel costs?
• Cycling out older forklifts for better performance?

The good news is, you have more options today than ever before. in this article we're talking about diesel forklifts vs. electrics.

Depending on your buying situation, you might benefit from going electric. Or maybe diesel is the better choice.

Let’s lay out a comparison so you can decide where you want your purchasing budget to go.

 

The Case for Electric

Many companies are going electric...and for good reason. Electric forklifts have become an efficient, reliable choice for material handling.

With more electric models coming out across the board, from brands like Bobcat and Linde, you can find an electric to do just about any job an LPG forklift could.

That includes operating outdoors. We’ve seen a push for 5-8000# pneumatic-tire electrics to take the place of their LPG counterparts.

Why? In case future regulations disqualify use of IC forklifts. Remember the CARB plan to require electric-only equipment by 2035?

Electrics save on fuel costs too. No fuel needed, just a battery recharge. With a charging strategy—a schedule for rotating electric forklifts’ charging—you’re never without forklifts on hand.

(Ask your local Forklifts Group rep about charging strategy.)

Where are electric forklifts best suited?

• Heart-of-the-line transport in warehousing & distribution
• Agricultural use for produce & harvest season
• Government facilities
• Airports & shipping facilities

That said, electric forklifts do have disadvantages.

One, it’s a higher up-front cost. Plus, you’ll have to buy a charger with the forklift (if you don’t already have one with matching voltage). More up front in exchange for (very) low fuel costs for the life of the forklift.

Two, power outages. If the power’s out, you can’t reliably charge any electric equipment. In such a situation, having non-electric forklifts on hand means light and (some) productivity.

And three, upper-range heavy lifting. Can electrics match diesels for sheer power? No, not yet. No electric can lift over 15,000 lbs. so far.

 

The Case for Diesel

Diesels still reign as the forklifts with the highest lifting power. These are the titans lifting 30,000 pounds of materials every day, keeping our ports and infrastructure going.

Diesels have a well-earned reputation for durability. They adapt to high temperatures, humidity, wet or dusty environments, multi-terrain surfaces...all of it.

Where are diesel forklifts best suited?

• Major construction job sites
• Rough-terrain yards & open land
• Heavy outdoor transport such as lumber & pipe
• Manufacturing facilities

One big disadvantage though: Emissions. States like California want diesel forklifts out. The CARB ban on selling non-electrics in California may be in limbo, but it could come back at any time.

 

Telematics – Collecting Data? Electrics Make it Easier

One factor that might tip you one way or the other is telematics.

Harvesting data about day-to-day operations is growing in value. The more insight you can draw from telematics tracking your equipment, the more efficiency improvements you can find.

Electric forklifts work more easily with telematics systems than other types, due to their configurations. Bobcat is even working to add a Factory-Order option by the end of this year (on select models)—building in telematics from Day 1.

That doesn't mean diesel or LPG forklifts can't work with telematics systems however. Using a small aftermarket device, almost all forklift models can 'plug in' and supply you with data.

Still, if intralogistics is a prominent or growing part of your facility operations, then buying electric forklifts is the smarter choice this coming year.

 

Electrics for Versatile Reliability; Diesels for Heavy Lifting Power

A lot of factors go into every forklift purchase, used or new: The up-front price, maintenance cost estimates, operating cost/ease of use, model availability, and so on.

The notion of buying electric forklifts has a lot going for it. But for sheer power, you can’t match diesel. Your use case will determine which type you need this coming year. Hopefully the choice is clearer now.

One good thing to remember: Whether you buy electrics or diesels in 2026, you can still take advantage of Section 179 tax savings!

 

Until next month!

-The Forklifts Group Team

 

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Deal of the Month

 

2023 Doosan BC30 ELECTRIC - $41,995

 

For our February Deal, we have a perfect example of a higher-capacity electric forklift. This is a Doosan BC30 4-wheel electric.

The BC30 has a 6,000# lift capacity and a two-stage mast. These are perfect for single-double work, indoor and outdoor. In fact, these often rent out during the summer for Harvest season.

You can pick up this 2023 Doosan electric for only $41,995.

To get this Deal, call Forklifts Group at 800-464-3225 and ask for the February Deal of the Month.