Types of Electric Forklifts: The Complete Guide (With Pictures)
Electric forklifts fall into three official classes under the OSHA/ITA forklift classification system — Class I (electric rider forklifts), Class II (electric narrow-aisle equipment like reach trucks and order pickers), and Class III (electric pallet trucks, stackers, and tow tractors). All three run on battery power instead of fuel, but each is built for a different job inside the warehouse.
Below, we break down each electric forklift type with real photos and prices from Iron Line Tools' catalog, then cover where electric fits into the full 7-class forklift classification system.
The 3 Types of Electric Forklifts
Class I: Electric Rider Forklifts
Sit-down or stand-up, 3-wheel or 4-wheel electric forklifts. These are the electric equivalent of a standard counterbalance forklift — used for loading and unloading trucks, stacking pallets, and general indoor material handling. Quiet, zero-emission, and the standard choice for food storage, retail, and general warehousing. For a look at how the battery, motor, and hydraulics actually work together on one of these, see how electric forklifts work.
Class II: Electric Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Built specifically for narrow-aisle warehouses maximizing vertical storage space. This class includes reach trucks, which extend their mast forward to lift pallets high into rack storage, and order pickers, which raise the operator to pick individual items or cases directly from the shelf.
View Reach Trucks → | View Order Pickers →
Class III: Electric Pallet Trucks, Stackers & Tow Tractors
Smaller, walk-behind or stand-on electric equipment used for short-distance handling — unloading deliveries, moving pallets across a facility, and staging inventory. This class includes electric pallet jacks, pallet stackers, and tow tractors that pull carts rather than lift loads.
View Pallet Stackers → | View Tow Tractors →
7 Different Types of Forklifts: Quick Reference
Electric forklifts (Classes I–III above) are three of the seven total forklift classes recognized industry-wide. The remaining four cover internal combustion and rough terrain equipment:
• Class I: Electric rider forklifts
• Class II: Electric narrow-aisle forklifts (reach trucks, order pickers)
• Class III: Electric pallet trucks, stackers, and tow tractors
• Class IV: Internal combustion forklifts with cushion tires (indoor use)
• Class V: Internal combustion forklifts with pneumatic tires (LPG or diesel, indoor/outdoor)
• Class VI: Electric and internal combustion tow tractors
• Class VII: Rough terrain forklifts
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the three classes of electric forklifts?
A: Class I (electric rider forklifts), Class II (electric narrow-aisle equipment like reach trucks and order pickers), and Class III (electric pallet trucks, stackers, and tow tractors). All three run on battery power.
Q: What's the difference between a reach truck and an order picker?
A: A reach truck extends its mast forward to lift pallets high into rack storage, while an order picker raises the operator up so they can pick individual items or cases directly from the shelf. Both are Class II narrow-aisle equipment.
Q: What equipment falls under Class III?
A: Electric pallet jacks, pallet stackers, and tow tractors — smaller, walk-behind or stand-on equipment used for short-distance handling like unloading deliveries and staging inventory, rather than tow tractors which pull carts instead of lifting loads.
Q: How many total forklift classes are there, and where do electric forklifts fit?
A: There are 7 total classes. Electric forklifts make up Classes I–III. Classes IV and V are internal combustion (cushion and pneumatic tire), Class VI is tow tractors (both electric and internal combustion), and Class VII is rough terrain forklifts.
Q: What's an example Class I electric forklift and its price?
A: The EKKO EK25GB runs $30,799, the GNT GF40LI is $36,249, and the stand-up GNT GSF40-275LI is $56,549 — all Class I electric rider forklifts in Iron Line Tools' catalog.
Q: What's an example piece of Class III equipment and its price?
A: The GNT G30KCS-189LI counterbalanced stacker is $25,598, and the GNT G100LI electric tow tractor is $8,999.
Related Reading
How Do Electric Forklifts Work?
What Is a Rough Terrain Forklift?
How Much Do Electric Forklifts Weigh?
Related equipment: Electric Forklifts → | Reach Trucks → | Order Pickers → | Pallet Stackers → | All Material Handling Equipment →
Not sure which electric forklift type fits your operation? Call Iron Line Tools at 800-698-1646 or browse our full Electric Forklift collection.