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The run time of a forklift — how long it can operate before needing fuel or recharging — plays a big role in selecting the right model for your work environment. Not all forklifts are created equal when it comes to endurance, and choosing the wrong one can lead to unexpected downtime and productivity drops. Electric forklifts, for example, are popular for indoor use because they’re quiet, clean, and cost-effective. Most standard electric models can run for 6 to 8 hours on a full charge. However, once the battery is drained, you’re looking at several hours to recharge — unless youre using lithium-ion batteries, which charge faster and can sometimes allow for opportunity charging between shifts. On the other hand, propane forklifts offer a solid 7 to 8 hours of consistent run time and can be quickly refueled by swapping tanks. That makes them ideal for businesses that run multiple shifts or need a lot of uptime. Plus, they can be used both indoors (with good ventilation) and outdoors, offering flexibility. Diesel forklifts are the heavy-duty champs. They can often operate for 8 to 10 hours on a full tank and are built for rough terrain, long days, and demanding industrial tasks. But they’re noisy, produce emissions, and are typically reserved for outdoor use or in construction yards. Why does all this matter? Because if your forklift runs out of juice mid-shift or takes too long to refuel, you’re wasting labor hours, slowing production, and possibly missing deadlines. Businesses running tight operations need to match forklift run time to their actual usage patterns. If you’re running one shift in a clean warehouse, electric is great. If you’re running 24/7 or outdoors, propane or diesel is usually the way to go.