Diesel vs. Electric Scissor Lifts

If you are planning to buy a scissor lift, you may have to choose between an electric and diesel scissor lift. Which one of these will suit your project best depends on various factors. As they both have their unique features, benefits, and drawbacks, it is important to understand the differences as well as similarities between the two to make the right choice.

Diesel Scissor Lifts

Traditionally, diesel powered scissor lifts have always been the go-to lifts for outdoor applications. That’s because traditionally electric scissor lifts struggled with rough, uneven ground typically found on construction sites. Moreover, as electric charging was required to operate battery-powered scissors, diesel was immediately viewed as the more practical choice for the outdoor environment.

Talking about the unique features and benefits of diesel scissor lifts, they use diesel as fuel which makes them one of the most powerful, heavy-duty scissor lifts. They usually feature large platforms and can easily handle heavier loads. However, the engine running on diesel makes these lifts noisy. Also, as they emit harmful fumes, they are not so environment friendly.

Electric Scissor Lifts

Advancement in technology and the popularity of sustainable alternatives has significantly contributed towards the increased demand for electric scissor lifts. Research shows that the global electric scissor lift market is estimated to grow at the Compound Annual Growth Rate of 5.5% from 2018 to 2030.

Advantages of Electric Scissor Lifts

Highly efficient – With battery technology continuing to evolve at a rapid rate, many electric scissor lift models can now offer enough uptime to power standard jobs.Environment friendly – Electric scissor lifts have zero emissions which makes them more environment friendly as compared to their diesel counterparts.Cost-effective – Electric scissor lifts run on efficient battery-powered motors, which means they have no fuel costs.Less noise pollution – They have extremely low noise levels compared to diesel power lifts, which makes them an ideal choice for indoor applications.Lower frequency of breakdowns – They have a lower dependency on hydraulic oils and a lower risk of hydraulic leaks.

The right choice for you between a diesel scissor lift and an electric scissor lift would depend on a variety of factors, like the site where you will operate the lift, access to electricity, your budget, etc.

If you need help choosing the right option for your project, you may want to talk to an expert at AFI Rentals. A market leader known for providing excellent powered access equipment for a wide range of applications, AFI Rentals has been in business for more than twenty years and has successfully catered to the scissor lift rental needs of several customers across the UK and the Middle East. They have a team of dedicated professionals to advise you on every aspect of your hire, from machine selection, and site surveys, to traffic management and supply of hire accessories and material handling attachments. To discuss your needs with their specialists, you can reach out to them @ 01924 601 566!