Why Electric Forklifts Are Taking Over Warehouses

European warehouse and logistics operators are switching to electric forklifts faster than at any point in the past decade. Stricter indoor air quality standards, rising fuel costs, and improving battery technology have pushed the economics firmly in favour of electric. In Belgium, indoor combustion-engine machines are already subject to tighter controls in many municipalities.

For buyers in the used machinery market, this shift has a practical consequence: the supply of good-quality used electric forklifts is growing. Machines returned from three- to five-year leases are entering the second-hand market in larger numbers, often with remaining battery capacity above 80 % and documented service histories.

At D.O.V. BV., we have seen a clear uptick in demand for used electric forklifts — particularly Linde, Toyota and Jungheinrich models. When assessing a used electric forklift, always request a battery report and check the last service date. These two data points tell you most of what you need to know about the machine's remaining lifespan.