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Forklift News & Material Handling Updates

New & Used Electric Forklifts for Sale

11 November 2026

New & Used Electric Forklifts for Sale

If you're looking for a forklift for sale, the first decision isn't the model. It's whether a new truck or a used one makes more sense for how hard you'll work it, how long you'll keep it and how much you want to spend upfront. Get that right and the rest of the choice gets a lot simpler.

iLift sells EP lithium-ion electric forklifts in two ways: brand new from our main range, and as ex-demo trucks at reduced prices. This guide covers what's available, how to choose between new and used, and what to check before you buy.

What Kind of Forklift for Sale Do You Actually Need?

Before you compare any forklift for sale on price, pin down the job. Most buying mistakes come from choosing a truck on capacity alone and finding out later that it can't reach the top beam, won't turn in the aisle or struggles on the yard.

Work through these four points first.

1. Real load capacity at height

A forklift's rated capacity is measured at a set load centre, usually 500mm from the fork face, with the mast at a standard height. Lift higher, or handle longer loads, and the safe working capacity drops.

So if your heaviest pallet is 1,600kg and you're stacking to 4.5m, don't buy a 1.6 tonne truck. Check the residual capacity at your maximum lift height on the truck's data plate or spec sheet, and leave yourself a margin.

2. Lift height and mast type

Measure your top beam height, then add clearance to lift the pallet over it. Also measure the lowest point the truck has to pass under, such as doorways, mezzanines and container roofs.

  • Duplex masts (two stages) suit lower stacking and general loading work.

  • Triplex masts (three stages) reach higher while keeping a low closed height, which matters for container work and low doorways.

  • Full free lift lets the forks rise without the mast extending upwards, useful under low ceilings.

3. Three-wheel or four-wheel

Three-wheel counterbalance forklifts have a tighter turning circle, so they suit narrow aisles, busy despatch areas and tight warehouses. Four-wheel trucks are more stable on uneven ground and better for yard work, loading bays and heavier loads.

4. Where and how long it works

Indoor-only, smooth floors and a single shift is a very different job from a mixed yard and warehouse operation running two shifts. Think about floor surfaces, ramps, weather exposure and how many hours a day the truck will actually be moving. That tells you how much battery capacity you need and whether a cab is worth adding.

5. Options and attachments

The base truck is only part of the spec. Think about what your operators need to do the job safely and quickly.

  • Side shift lets the operator move the forks left and right without repositioning the truck. It's standard on many models and worth insisting on for racking work.

  • Fork positioners adjust the fork spread from the seat, useful when you handle mixed pallet sizes.

  • Cabs protect operators working outside or in cold areas through the winter.

  • Fork length should suit your loads. Standard forks are fine for most pallets, but longer loads need longer forks, which also affects capacity.

  • Lights, beacons and reversing alarms help keep pedestrians aware of the truck in shared spaces.

Adding an option at the point of sale is usually simpler than retrofitting it later, so it pays to list these before you start comparing trucks.

Our New Electric Forklift Range

Every forklift in our range runs on an integrated lithium-ion battery. That means no battery watering, no separate charging room and no battery swaps. Trucks can be opportunity charged during breaks and shift changes, which keeps them working through the day.

Here's how the range breaks down by capacity.

Compact and light-duty: 1,000kg to 1,800kg

For smaller warehouses, retail back rooms and light manufacturing.

General warehouse and yard: 2,000kg to 2,500kg

The most common capacity band for palletised goods.

Heavier handling: 3,000kg to 3,500kg

For building materials, manufacturing and heavier yard work.

Heavy-duty: 4.5 tonnes and above

Electric isn't limited to light work. Our heavy range covers jobs that have traditionally needed diesel.

You can browse the full line-up, including stackers, pallet trucks and reach trucks, in our shop.

Worker operating EP 20P forklift with clamp attachment

Used Forklifts for Sale: What Our Ex-Demo Stock Offers

Our used stock is made up of ex-demo trucks. These are machines that have been used for demonstrations and trials rather than years of daily shift work, so they're a different proposition from a typical second-hand forklift with an unknown history.

Ex-demo trucks give you the same lithium-ion technology as the new range at a lower price. Current stock covers most capacity bands, for example:

Ex-demo stock changes regularly, and once a truck is sold it's gone. See what's available today on our used lithium-ion trucks and special offers page.

New vs Used: Which Makes More Sense?

There's no single right answer. It comes down to how you'll use the truck and how you want to spend.

Buy new if:

  • The truck will run long hours or multiple shifts every day

  • You need a specific mast height, attachment or specification that isn't in ex-demo stock

  • You plan to keep the truck for many years and want the full working life from day one

  • Uptime is critical and you want a truck with no previous use at all

Buy ex-demo if:

  • You want lithium-ion performance at a lower upfront cost

  • Your usage is moderate, such as a single shift or intermittent yard work

  • You need a truck quickly and one of our current units matches your spec

  • You're adding to an existing fleet and want to stretch your budget across more trucks

For many businesses, ex-demo is the sweet spot: low-use equipment at a reduced price, without the uncertainty of an older machine.

What to Check Before Buying Any Used Forklift

Whether you buy from us or elsewhere, these checks apply to any second-hand truck.

  1. Hour meter reading. This tells you how hard the truck has worked. Compare it against the age of the machine.

  2. Battery health. On a lithium-ion truck, the battery is the most valuable component. Ask about its condition and charge history. Telematics data, where fitted, can help here.

  3. Mast and chains. Look for wear, uneven chain stretch, hydraulic leaks and play in the carriage.

  4. Tyres and forks. Worn tyres affect stability. Check forks for cracks, bending and heel wear.

  5. Thorough examination record. Ask for the most recent LOLER thorough examination report and when the next one is due.

  6. Specification match. Confirm the actual fitted mast height, closed height, side shift and any options rather than relying on the model name alone.

 

Close-up of a bright green industrial vehicle battery with cables and terminals inside a black and orange machinery compartment.

The Costs Beyond the Price Tag

The purchase price is only part of what a forklift costs you. When comparing options, factor in:

  • Energy. Electric trucks charge from mains power, which usually works out cheaper per hour than diesel or LPG. Lithium-ion also wastes less energy during charging than older lead-acid batteries.

  • Maintenance. Electric drivetrains have far fewer moving parts than an engine. There's no oil, no filters and no exhaust system, and lithium-ion batteries need no watering.

  • Statutory inspections. Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), forklifts used for lifting goods need a thorough examination by a competent person at least every 12 months, or every 6 months if used to lift people. The HSE's LOLER guidance sets out the requirements.

  • Operator training. Your operators need appropriate training for the truck type. A 3-wheel truck handles differently to a 4-wheel one.

  • Charging set-up. Many of our trucks have integrated chargers. Some lighter models can charge from a standard power outlet, while larger trucks need a suitable supply. Check what's needed before delivery day.

Taken together, a lithium-ion electric truck often costs less to run than a combustion forklift over its working life, even where the upfront price is similar or higher.

Buying vs Hiring

If you're not sure about committing to a purchase, hire is worth considering. It suits seasonal peaks, short contracts or trialling electric before converting a whole fleet.

Buying makes more sense when you have steady, long-term demand for the truck. Over several years, owning usually works out cheaper than hiring the same machine, and you keep an asset with resale value.

Find the Right Forklift for Sale at iLift

Whether you need a compact 3-wheel truck for narrow aisles or a 7 tonne machine to replace a diesel, we stock EP lithium-ion forklifts across the full capacity range.

Not sure which truck fits your operation? Get in touch with your load weights, lift heights and aisle widths, and we'll point you to the right machine.