Which forklift should a UK yard or warehouse buy: diesel, LPG or electric?

Which forklift fuel suits your site: diesel, LPG or electric?

Start with where the forklift will spend most of its shift. A diesel forklift is the default for an open yard, a builders merchant or a loading area with ramps and rough concrete: it pulls hard, runs a full day on a tank and does not mind the rain. The 3 to 5 t industrial diesel forklift truck in our range starts from £3,030 ex VAT with a 3 m to 6 m mast and 1070 mm forks.

LPG is the compromise for sites that move between a yard and a shed. It burns cleaner than diesel, so with proper ventilation it can work inside a warehouse or cash and carry, and it refuels in minutes by swapping a cylinder. The 3 t LPG forklift starts from £3,380 ex VAT, can be built as dual fuel LPG and petrol, and can be specified with forks from 920 to 2000 mm.

Electric is the right answer for indoor work, food and drink premises, chilled stores and anywhere noise and fumes matter. The 1.5 to 3.5 t lithium electric forklift starts from £3,270 ex VAT and charges in short bursts during breaks rather than needing a battery swap, so one truck can cover a normal shift pattern.

Diesel vs LPG vs electric forklift: the comparison

The entry prices sit close together, so the fuel decision is about the site, not the ticket. Pick the fuel first, then capacity and mast, then tyres. Everything on the forklift range page is new, built to order and priced ex VAT as a guide until your quote confirms it.

What capacity and mast height do you actually need?

Rated capacity is quoted at the load centre printed on the data plate with the mast vertical. Lift a wide pallet with the weight further out, or lift to the top of a tall mast, and the truck carries less than the headline figure; the load chart says how much less. Take your heaviest regular pallet, allow for the occasional heavy one, and buy the next size up rather than run at the limit.

Most warehouses in the 1.5 t to 3.5 t class run one truck size for everything. A cash and carry moving drinks and tinned goods on full pallets usually lands at 2.5 t to 3 t. Builders merchants, paper and steel stockholders go to 5 t. Above that, the range lists 6 t and 12 t diesel yard trucks for container work and heavy stock.

On mast height, measure two things: your lowest doorway or container opening with the mast fully lowered, and the top beam of your highest rack with the forks raised. A 3 m mast suits low sheds and lorry work. A triplex mast to 6 m reaches taller racking but sits higher when closed, so check the lowered height against your doors before you order. Standard forks are 1070 mm; ask for longer forks if you handle oversized pallets or double stacked bins.

3 wheel or 4 wheel, and which tyres?

A 3 wheel electric forklift steers on a single rear wheel, so it turns in a tighter circle than a 4 wheel truck of the same capacity. That makes it the truck for narrow aisles and lighter loads. Our 3 wheel electric forklift for 1.5 to 2 t loads starts from £4,810 ex VAT with 1150 to 1220 mm forks. A 4 wheel truck is steadier with a heavy load raised, handles ramps better and is the sensible choice outdoors or above 2 t.

Tyres decide where the truck can go. Pneumatic tyres soak up rough yards and gravel but can puncture. Solid tyres fit the same rims, never puncture and suit mixed sites. Cushion press-on tyres are for smooth concrete indoors only, and non-marking versions keep a food warehouse floor clean. Tell us the floor and we will specify the tyre on the quote.

What must the written forklift quote cover?

The guide prices on the site are converted from the factory list at a buffered exchange rate and shown ex VAT. They are a starting point, not the final number. Before you compare it with any other offer, get the written quote by email and check it lists all of these: the model and mast height, the capacity at the stated load centre, tyres, fork length, any attachment such as side shift, sea freight to a UK port, import duty, UK haulage to your door, VAT, the minimum order and the lead time. The quote is valid for 30 days.

Every forklift is built to order at our partner factories and inspected before dispatch, and you receive photos and a video of your actual truck before it ships. Minimum order for a forklift is 1 unit; the minimum order page covers the rest of the range. Warranty terms are on the warranty and returns page, and delivery anywhere in the UK is confirmed on your written quote.

What to check before you buy a forklift

• Operator training. HSE Approved Code of Practice L117 says nobody should operate a lift truck until they have completed basic training, specific job training and familiarisation training, with records kept. There is no statutory forklift licence; a certificate of basic training from a recognised trainer is the evidence.
• LOLER 1998. A forklift is lifting equipment, so it needs a thorough examination by a competent person at least every 12 months, or every 6 months if it is used to lift people, and the report must be kept.
• PUWER 1998. The truck must be suitable for the job, maintained in a safe condition, inspected, and used only by trained and authorised people. Build a daily pre-use check into the shift.
• Paperwork. Declaration of conformity, a data plate showing capacity and serial number, and an operator manual in English.
• Site fit. Door heights, floor condition, ramp gradients, a charging point or LPG cylinder storage, and whether the truck must drive into a container or trailer.
• Attachments. Side shift, fork positioners and clamps reduce the rated capacity, so specify them on the quote rather than adding them later.

Send us the site details, heaviest pallet and door height and the quote comes back with the right truck specified. Use the contact page or email [email protected].