Calculate Your Savings from Switching Propane LPG to Electric
Forklifts

Calculate Your Savings from Switching Propane LPG to Electric

Electric Forklifts: The Future Of Material Handling

Our Propane To Electric Forklift Program has helped businesses convert over 10,500 lift trucks, reducing CO2 emissions by 1.42 million tons and saving approximately $224 million in fuel costs. Electric forklifts, powered by Lithium and Lead Acid batteries, offer superior energy efficiency, extended operational hours, and fast recharging, making them the ideal solution for today’s material handling needs while lowering the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Propane vs Electric Savings – Overview

Annual forklift fuel cost: propane vs. electric

Your fleet
Fuel Type Propane Electric
Fuel Used per Year
2,698 Gallons
9,804 kWh
Price
Total per Year $7,284.60 $980.40

Electric saves

$6,304 a year

  • $31,521 over 5 years
  • 87% lower fuel cost than propane

Cost of Ownership

Propane vs. lead acid vs. TPPL vs. lithium

Enter costs per truck. Fleet totals use your fleet size and working days, and update as you type.

How to use this calculator
  1. Set your fleet: the number of forklifts and how many days a year they work.
  2. Adjust the per-truck costs for each power source: battery price and life, daily fuel or electricity cost, and yearly maintenance. The defaults are estimates for the listed models.
  3. Results update as you type. The savings cards show what each electric option saves compared to propane, and the cheapest is marked "Lowest cost".
  4. The full cost breakdown lists every cost per truck and for the fleet, plus savings over 1, 5 and 10 years. Green is a saving; red means it costs more than propane.
  5. Reset puts every value back to the defaults.
Your fleet
Power source Battery cost Battery life Energy per day Maintenance
Propane Propane truck No battery
Lead Acid (810) E20C 48V · battery 24-E90D-19
TPPL (770) E20C 48V · battery 24-NXS770
Lithium (518) E20 48V · battery TC-7407-14

Yearly fleet savings vs. propane

  • Lead Acid (810) $68,517 saved a year $342,583 over 5 years · $685,165 over 10 years
  • TPPL (770) Lowest cost $73,708 saved a year $368,540 over 5 years · $737,080 over 10 years
  • Lithium (518) $66,608 saved a year $333,040 over 5 years · $666,080 over 10 years

Full cost breakdown

Per year unless noted Propane Lead Acid (810) TPPL (770) Lithium (518)
Battery cost per year — $3,306.60 $4,217.80 $5,481.20
Fuel or electricity per truck $15,660.00 $2,114.10 $2,244.60 $2,401.20
Maintenance per truck $5,544.00 $2,080.00 $0.00 $0.00
Total per truck $21,204.00 $7,500.70 $6,462.40 $7,882.40
Fleet cost $106,020.00 $37,503.50 $32,312.00 $39,412.00
Fleet savings, 1 year Baseline $68,516.50 $73,708.00 $66,608.00
Fleet savings, 5 years Baseline $342,582.50 $368,540.00 $333,040.00
Fleet savings, 10 years Baseline $685,165.00 $737,080.00 $666,080.00

Baseline Case Study: 2026 Fleet TCO (Propane vs. Lithium)

For reference, here is the guaranteed cost breakdown for a standard 10-truck fleet operating 261 days per year. This static baseline demonstrates the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) advantage when converting from Propane (LPG) to Lithium-Ion (518) power.

Metric Propane Lithium (518)
Initial Capital Asset Cost $32,000.00 $27,406.00
Expected Lifespan (Years) 5 5
Annual Depreciation Cost Per Truck $6,400.00 $5,481.20
Daily Fuel/Elec Cost Per Truck $27.00* $9.20
Annual Fuel/Elec Cost Per Truck $7,047.00 $2,401.20
Annual Maintenance Cost Per Truck $5,544.00 $0.00
Total Annual Cost Per Truck $18,991.00 $7,882.40
Total Annual Fleet Cost (10 Trucks) $189,910.00 $78,824.00

*Propane fuel cost calculated at a standard commercial rate of $2.70/gal utilizing 10 gallons per 8-hour shift.

Total 5-Year Fleet Savings with Lithium: $555,430.00


Switching from Propane to Electric Forklifts

The tide is turning on gas-powered forklifts. Cost savings, cleaner air, and top-notch performance are making electric the clear choice. Forget the outdated excuses – businesses are going green, and soon, propane might be a relic of the past.

1. Slash maintenance costs: Say goodbye to expensive fuel and hello to lower energy bills.

2. Boost your bottom line: Electric forklifts work smarter, longer, saving you money in the long run.

3. Happy workers, happy business: Improved air quality and quieter operation create a healthier, more productive work environment.

4. Go green, stay ahead: Reduce your carbon footprint and embrace a sustainable future.

Ready to trade fumes for savings? At Total Warehouse, we make the switch to electric effortless. 

Maximize Uptime. Minimize Costs.

Speak with our material handling experts today to find the perfect equipment and storage solutions for your facility.

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