--- title: "Electric vs. Propane Forklifts: Choosing the Right Type" description: Our team put together a comparison of forklift types, so you can decide what is best for you - electric or internal combustion. image: https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/shutterstock_1323888896.jpg --- [![logo-2](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/2020%20IMAGES/LP%20Images/IMG/homepage-template/logo-2.png)logo-2 ](https://www.crownbattery.com) Menu - [Motive Power](https://www.crownbattery.com/ind-motive-power) - [Electric Forklifts & Pallet Jacks](https://www.crownbattery.com/electric-forklifts-pallet-trucks) - [Industrial Charging Systems](https://www.crownbattery.com/industrial-charging-systems) - [Electric Mining Machinery](https://www.crownbattery.com/electric-mining-machinery) - [Automated Guided Vehicles](https://www.crownbattery.com/automated-guided-vehicles) - [Railroad & Stationary Generator Systems](https://www.crownbattery.com/railroad-stationary-generator-systems) ![Nav-Image-Industrial](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/Nav-Image-Industrial.jpg) #### Motive Power Batteries From industrial to renewable energy, our batteries deliver the power you need—built to last, engineered for performance. - [Transportation](https://www.crownbattery.com/crown-battery-sli) - [Material Handling](https://www.crownbattery.com/material-handling-battery) - [Golf, Utility & LSEV](https://www.crownbattery.com/golf-utility-lsev) - [Trucking, Heavy Equipment, Agriculture, Transit & First Response](https://www.crownbattery.com/trucking-heavy-equipment-agriculture-transit-first-response) - [Automotive Aftermarket](https://www.crownbattery.com/automotive-aftermarket) - [Rental Equipment, MEWPS & Traffic Management](https://www.crownbattery.com/rental-equipment-mewps-traffic-management) - [Floor Care & Cleaning Equipment](https://www.crownbattery.com/floor-care-cleaning-equipment) - [Marine/Recreational Watercraft](https://www.crownbattery.com/marine-recreational-watercraft) - [Renewable Energy Storage](https://www.crownbattery.com/renewable-energy-storage) - [Power Management](https://www.crownbattery.com/power-management) ![Nav-Image-SLI](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/Nav-Image-SLI.jpg) #### Transportation | Energy Storage Batteries Powering your vehicle with durable, high-performance SLI batteries built for reliability and longevity. - [Power.Match.](https://www.crownbattery.com/power-match) - Resources - [Resources - Motive Power ](https://www.crownbattery.com/resources-motive-power) - [Resources - Transportation & Energy Storage](https://www.crownbattery.com/resources-transportation-energy) - [Blog](https://www.crownbattery.com/news) - [Webinars](https://www.crownbattery.com/webinars) - [Events](https://www.crownbattery.com/events) - [Glossary of Terms](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms) ![Transportation-SAFTEY-FIRST](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/Transportation-SAFTEY-FIRST.jpg) #### Explore Our Power & Energy Resources Access expert insights, industry guides, and educational resources to power your success. - [Find a Dealer](https://www.crownbattery.com/how-to-buy) - About Us - [About Us](https://www.crownbattery.com/about-us) - [Quality](https://www.crownbattery.com/quality) - [Sustainability](https://www.crownbattery.com/sustainability) - [Safety](https://www.crownbattery.com/safety) - [Careers](https://www.crownbattery.com/employment) ![crown-world-smal-min](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/crown-world-smal-min.jpg) #### Get to Know Crown Battery Learn about our legacy, commitment to innovation, and the power behind our solutions. [ Contact ](https://www.crownbattery.com/contact) [![logo-2](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/2020%20IMAGES/LP%20Images/IMG/homepage-template/logo-2.png) ](https://www.crownbattery.com) Menu - [Motive Power ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/electric-vs-propane-forklifts#) - [Motive Power](https://www.crownbattery.com/ind-motive-power) - [Electric Forklifts & Pallet Jacks](https://www.crownbattery.com/electric-forklifts-pallet-trucks) - [Industrial Charging Systems](https://www.crownbattery.com/industrial-charging-systems) - [Electric Mining Machinery](https://www.crownbattery.com/electric-mining-machinery) - [Automated Guided Vehicles](https://www.crownbattery.com/automated-guided-vehicles) - [Railroad & Stationary Generator Systems](https://www.crownbattery.com/railroad-stationary-generator-systems) - [Transportation ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/electric-vs-propane-forklifts#) - [Transportation](https://www.crownbattery.com/crown-battery-sli) - [Material Handling](https://www.crownbattery.com/material-handling-battery) - [Golf, Utility & LSEV](https://www.crownbattery.com/golf-utility-lsev) - [Trucking, Heavy Equipment, Agriculture, Transit & First Response](https://www.crownbattery.com/trucking-heavy-equipment-agriculture-transit-first-response) - [Automotive Aftermarket](https://www.crownbattery.com/automotive-aftermarket) - [Rental Equipment, MEWPS & Traffic Management](https://www.crownbattery.com/rental-equipment-mewps-traffic-management) - [Floor Care & Cleaning Equipment](https://www.crownbattery.com/floor-care-cleaning-equipment) - [Marine/Recreational Watercraft](https://www.crownbattery.com/marine-recreational-watercraft) - [Renewable Energy Storage](https://www.crownbattery.com/renewable-energy-storage) - [Power Management](https://www.crownbattery.com/power-management) - [Power.Match.](https://www.crownbattery.com/power-match) - [Resources ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/electric-vs-propane-forklifts#) - [Resources - Motive Power ](https://www.crownbattery.com/resources-motive-power) - [Resources - Transportation & Energy Storage](https://www.crownbattery.com/resources-transportation-energy) - [Blog](https://www.crownbattery.com/news) - [Webinars](https://www.crownbattery.com/webinars) - [Events](https://www.crownbattery.com/events) - [Glossary of Terms](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms) - [Find a Dealer](https://www.crownbattery.com/how-to-buy) - [About Us ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/electric-vs-propane-forklifts#) - [About Us](https://www.crownbattery.com/about-us) - [Quality](https://www.crownbattery.com/quality) - [Sustainability](https://www.crownbattery.com/sustainability) - [Safety](https://www.crownbattery.com/safety) - [Careers](https://www.crownbattery.com/employment) # Electric vs. Propane Forklifts: Choosing the Right Type June 24, 2021 | Posted by: [ Crown Battery ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/author/crown-battery) - Tags: - [Industrial Lift Truck Batteries](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/topic/industrial-lift-truck-batteries) | [Industrial Batteries](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/topic/industrial-batteries) | [Material Handling](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/topic/material-handling) | [Lead Acid Batteries](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/topic/lead-acid-batteries) | [Forklift](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/topic/forklift)     ![Forklift](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/shutterstock_1323888896.jpg) When it comes to material handling, there are three types of motive power to choose from: electric, propane or LP, and diesel. Assuming capacities of each are equal, other factors for determining which forklift is right include run-time considerations ‒ including multi-shift operations ‒ application and use environment. For the purposes of our comparison, we’ll assume indoor use, which in most cases will rule out diesel forklifts due to the need and expense of installing costly emission control accessories and enhanced facility ventilation. So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of our two remaining power sources: electric and propane. ## Advantage ‒ Electric: ### 1. Lower Total Cost of Ownership Although the initial investment of an electric forklift is higher than an equal-[capacity](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms#capacity) propane model, the cost over time is significantly less, primarily due to the lower cost of the electricity used to charge the battery compared to the cost of propane as well as maintenance expenses. Of note, as it is a fossil fuel processing byproduct, propane can sometimes be subject to rapid and unexpected price fluctuations. ### 2. Safer for Workers and Work Environment Unlike propane forklifts, their electric counterparts do not generate tailpipe emissions ‒ or even have a tailpipe, for that matter. Electric forklifts also emit substantially less noise, and due to their low center of [gravity](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms#gravity), they are more stable. Plus, they offer a better turning radius and stability as well as enhanced rearward visibility since driver sightlines are not blocked by a propane tank. Further, with electric, there is no need for indoor or outdoor tank storage nor concerns over fuel leakage or injury caused by lifting or replacing propane cylinders. Overall, electric forklifts are suitable for nearly any indoor application while propane trucks face limitations in certain markets, specifically those with products intended for human consumption. ### 3. Easy and Inexpensive Maintenance Propane forklifts require fluid changes, much like automobiles, meaning consumables must be bought and safely disposed of upon changing over the [life ](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms#life)or lease term of the lift. Conversely, as electric forklifts have no radiator, transmission or engine, maintenance costs are greatly reduced, basically consisting of cheap and readily available distilled water. ## Advantage ‒ Propane: ### 1. Lower Initial Investment Compared to electric forklifts, the upfront expense of propane models is less. Over time, this advantage swings in favor of electric lifts as described above. ### 2. Readiness Propane forklifts perform better in constant-duty and round-the-clock applications, with minimal downtime due to relative quickness in changing a spent fuel cylinder vs. recharging the battery of an electric forklift. ### 3. Facility Considerations Due to [Charging](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms#charging) Facilities using electric forklifts must ensure adequate ventilation and charging areas as well as proper [voltage](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms#voltage) requirements. Also, safety personal protective equipment such as goggles and gloves as well as eyewash stations must be made available. Still undecided? [Contact us](https://www.crownbattery.com/contact) to learn more today. ## Recommend Posts [![Power.Match. announcement](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Images/2023/New-Power.Match.%C2%AE-Industrial-Battery-Search-Engine-Simplifies-Selection-%26-Matching-%281.5x%29.jpg) ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/new-power.match.-industrial-battery-search-engine-simplifies-selection-matching) ##### [New Power.Match.® Simplifies Industrial Battery Selection & Matching](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/new-power.match.-industrial-battery-search-engine-simplifies-selection-matching) Introducing Power.Match.®: The Easiest Way to Match Industrial Batteries with Your Charger and Lift ... [ READ MORE ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/new-power.match.-industrial-battery-search-engine-simplifies-selection-matching) [![Advantages of Centralized Buying System](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/201701_Crown_BlogIMG_Developing-a-Centralized-Buying-System-for-Your-Organization.jpg) ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/how-a-centralized-buying-system-can-benefit-your-organization) ##### [Advantages of Centralized Buying System](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/how-a-centralized-buying-system-can-benefit-your-organization) Company expansions often mean multiple locations and divisions with varied supply needs for each. ... [ READ MORE ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/how-a-centralized-buying-system-can-benefit-your-organization) [![](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/5%20Steps%20for%20Forklift%20Battery%20Maintenance%20%281%29.jpg) ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/five-simple-steps-to-boost-forklift-battery-uptime-and-profitability) ##### [Five Simple Steps to Boost Forklift Battery Uptime and Profitability](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/five-simple-steps-to-boost-forklift-battery-uptime-and-profitability) Your entire operations depend on forklifts running smoothly with little or no downtime. These five ... [ READ MORE ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/five-simple-steps-to-boost-forklift-battery-uptime-and-profitability) [ VIEW ALL ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news) [![Crown Battery Logo](https://www.crownbattery.com/hs-fs/file-2051412484-png/IMG/homepage-template/logo-2.png?width=250&height=202&name=logo-2.png "Crown Battery Logo")](https://www.crownbattery.com/) 1445 Majestic Drive, Fremont Ohio **1.419.334.7181** sales@crownbattery.com [![logo-EPA-GreenPower-white](https://www.crownbattery.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-EPA-GreenPower-white.png?width=178&height=80&name=logo-EPA-GreenPower-white.png "logo-EPA-GreenPower-white")](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/advances-in-battery-manufacturing-crown-batterys-approach-to-sustainable-manufacturing) [![MVS_White](https://www.crownbattery.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MVS/MVS_White.png?width=88&height=80&name=MVS_White.png "MVS_White")](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/crown-battery-honored-with-mheda-most-valuable-supplier-award-for-5th-consecutive-year) Search Our Site ### Subscribe to the Blog --- ### Quick Links ### Resources ### About © Crown Battery Manufacturing 2025,  All rights reserved. [twitter Follow us on Twitter ](https://twitter.com/crownbattery) [facebook-f Follow us on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/crownbatterycorp) [linkedin-in Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/237419/) [youtube Follow us on Facebook ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9y8iXRm2QsARhVVOfSbzcA) [instagram Follow us on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/crownbatterycorp/)