Electric Forklifts
An electric forklift runs on a battery instead of an engine, which makes it the default choice for indoor work where exhaust, noise, and fuel storage are problems you would rather not have. Both trucks here are sit-down counterbalance models from EKKO: the operator sits in a cab, the load rides out front on the forks, and a counterweight in the rear keeps the truck stable. The pair splits cleanly by size and battery. A compact 3-wheel truck rated 3,500 lb turns tight in cramped bays and runs on a 24V lead-acid pack, and a 7,000 lb 4-wheel truck built around a lithium battery handles heavier pallet work with faster, cleaner charging. Prices run from about $24,000 to $42,000. The sections below cover the calls that separate them.
Compare Sit Down Electric Forklifts
| Model | Price | Capacity | Lift Height | Overall Width | Overall Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EKKO EK35GT-LI 7000lbs 4-Wheel Electric Forklift | $41,999 | 7,000 lb | 185 in | 50.5 in | 150 in | View → |
| EKKO EK16A-138 3500lbs 3-Wheel Electric Forklift 138" LIft | $23,999 | 3500 lb | — | — | — | View → |
Sit Down Electric Forklifts Buying Guide
3-wheel or 4-wheel: aisle width decides. The two trucks sit at opposite ends of the maneuverability scale, and your aisles usually make the choice. The EKKO EK16A-138 is a 3-wheel truck, and the single rear wheel lets it pivot in a much tighter radius than a four-wheeler, which is why 3-wheel electrics own cramped receiving zones, older buildings laid out before wide trucks existed, and any floor where the operator changes direction constantly. It carries 3,500 lb, enough for most single-pallet indoor work. The EKKO EK35GT-LI is a 4-wheel truck at 7,000 lb: more stability under a heavy load and more capacity, but it needs a wider turn and a wider aisle to use it. Measure your tightest aisle and weigh your heaviest pallet before you decide, because those two numbers tend to settle it for you.
Lead-acid or lithium: how you charge changes the day. Battery chemistry shapes the daily routine more than the spec line suggests. The 3,500 lb truck runs a 24V lead-acid pack, which is proven and cheaper up front but asks for regular watering, periodic equalizing, and a ventilated area to charge in, and it prefers a full charge and a cooldown over short top-ups. The 7,000 lb EK35GT-LI is built around a lithium battery, which is sealed and maintenance-free, takes opportunity charging during breaks without hurting its life, and charges far faster with no watering and no gassing. If the truck works one shift a day, lead-acid is fine. If it runs hard across multiple shifts, lithium's uptime is usually worth the higher price.
Rate the truck to your real load, at the real load center. Both capacities, 3,500 and 7,000 lb, are rated at a standard 24 inch load center, the distance from the fork face to the center of a balanced load, which a 48 inch pallet loaded evenly hits almost exactly. Push the center of gravity out with a long, offset, or top-heavy load and the safe capacity drops below the number on the data plate, sometimes sharply. Read the plate, weigh your worst pallet rather than your average one, and remember that any attachment you bolt on adds weight up front and derates the truck further.
Where electric stops, and the OSHA rule. Staying electric buys you clean, quiet, emissions-free running that fuel-burning trucks cannot match indoors, which is the whole reason to choose these for a warehouse, cold store, or food operation. The limit is the yard: neither truck is built to live outdoors on rough ground or in the rain, and if that is your work, LPG forklifts and diesel are the right lane instead. Whichever you buy, OSHA's powered industrial truck rule, 29 CFR 1910.178, requires every operator to be trained, evaluated, and certified on that specific truck before running it, with re-evaluation at least every three years.
Frequently Asked Questions
The EK16A-138 is a 3-wheel, 3,500 lb truck built for a tight turning radius and cramped indoor aisles. The EK35GT-LI is a 4-wheel, 7,000 lb truck with more stability and capacity but a wider turn. Choose by your tightest aisle and your heaviest pallet.
They are designed for indoor work on smooth floors. Electric counterbalance trucks like these suit warehouses, docks, and cold or food storage, not rough outdoor ground or wet yards. For outdoor duty, look at LPG or diesel forklifts instead.
The 3,500 lb EK16A-138 uses a 24V lead-acid battery, which costs less up front but needs watering and a ventilated charging area and prefers a full charge per shift. The 7,000 lb EK35GT-LI uses a sealed lithium battery that supports opportunity charging, charges faster, and needs no watering. One shift a day favors lead-acid; multi-shift work favors lithium.
Yes. OSHA's powered industrial truck standard, 29 CFR 1910.178, requires employers to train, evaluate, and certify every operator on the specific truck they run, with re-evaluation at least every three years.
The EK16A-138 is $23,999 and the EK35GT-LI is $41,999. Freight and lead time are confirmed at checkout, business leasing is available, and you can request a quote for bulk pricing.