China has become the world’s largest producer and seller of forklifts, ranking first in global sales volume for 14 consecutive years. The electric forklift sector has passed an inflection point from policy-driven development to spontaneous market substitution. In 2025, total domestic forklift sales hit 1.4518 million units, with electric forklifts accounting for 76.9%. Electric forklift sales are projected to exceed 1.12 million units in 2026, with the market size surpassing RMB 108 billion. China captures over 35% of the global market share, making it the world’s largest single market for electric forklifts.
Market Overview – The Electric Revolution
The electrification of China’s forklift industry has accelerated dramatically. Electric forklift sales rose 21.49% year-on-year in 2024, far outpacing the roughly 3% growth of internal combustion forklifts. The 2026 electric forklift market is projected at 118.6 million units sold, with an estimated output value of RMB 59.3 billion.
Key Market Segments:
Walk-behind warehouse compact trucks (pallet trucks, stackers) account for 77% of all electric forklifts, with light-duty models under 1.5 tons forming the fundamental market base
Rider-type electric counterbalance forklifts are seeing rapid sales growth
Lithium-ion battery models ranging from 3 to 10 tons have fully replaced diesel forklifts in many applications
Lithium-Ion Dominance: Lithium-ion forklifts made up 68.5% of total electric forklift sales in 2025, compared to merely 9.32% in 2018. Lead-acid forklifts are gradually being phased out from indoor and high-end working scenarios. The 2026 lithium-ion penetration rate is expected to exceed 60%, with lead-acid rapidly shrinking.
Demand Drivers:
Economic Tipping Point: Although lithium-ion forklifts carry higher upfront purchase costs, their electricity and maintenance expenses are drastically lower. The full-lifecycle cost of mainstream 3-ton lithium-ion forklifts is lower than diesel counterparts, with a payback period of around 4 years
Mandatory Policy Substitution: Driven by the Dual Carbon Goals, National Stage IV non-road emission standards, and full bans on IC forklifts in industrial parks, food and pharmaceutical plants, and indoor workshops across multiple regions
Purchase subsidies up to 15% of equipment value available in many regions
Leading Chinese Electric Forklift Manufacturers
Heli (Anhui Heli Co., Ltd.)
Heli is China’s largest forklift manufacturer and a top global brand. The company produces a comprehensive range of electric forklifts with advanced AC motor technology and lithium-ion options.
Model Capacity Voltage Traction Motor Weight Turning Radius Travel Speed
CPD20 2.0 t 80V 17 kW 3.57 t 2.07 m 19/20 km/h
CPD35-GE2DLI 3.5 t 80V — — — —
G2 5-ton Li-ion 5.0 t — — — — 19 km/h
Source: LECTURA specs; Machineryline
Heli CPD20 (2023–2026) – Specifications:
Total width: 1,160 mm
Construction height: 2,170 mm
Center of gravity: 500 mm
Hoist motor: 26 kW
Lifting height: 3 m
Hoisting speed (with/without load): 0.49/0.60 m/s
Heli CPD40-GB2Li (2026) – A high-capacity 4-wheel lithium-ion forklift engineered for CSA-regulated indoor/outdoor fleets, LP-to-lithium conversions, and UL/EE fire-safe deployments.
Heli G2-M 3.5-ton Li-ion – Features a duplex mast with 3.3 m lift height, four-wheel configuration.
Hangcha Group
Hangcha is one of China’s fastest-growing forklift manufacturers and a major exporter of lithium battery forklifts. The company produces electric forklifts, diesel forklifts, and warehouse equipment for global logistics operations.
Model Capacity Voltage Traction Motor Weight Turning Radius Lift Height
CPD35-XEY2H1-SI 3.5 t — — — — —
CPD45-XC5 4.5 t 80V — — — —
CPD50-XXD6-SI28 5.0 t 80V 23 kW 6.44 t 2.55 m 3.0 m
CPDS18-AC8G 1.8 t — — — — —
Source: LECTURA specs
Hangcha XE Series Electric Lithium-Ion Pneumatic Tire Forklift – Dedicated lithium-ion powered forklift featuring an 80V system with a permanent magnet synchronous motor for increased efficiency. The dedicated chassis allows for a larger, more ergonomic operator compartment.
BYD Forklift
BYD is the global leader in lithium-ion battery manufacturing, and their forklifts reflect that expertise. They produce fully integrated lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) forklifts with zero-maintenance batteries and extremely long life cycles.
Key Advantages:
Self-developed lithium iron phosphate battery technology – maintenance-free, zero emissions
100% charge in just over 2 hours for direct use without waiting to cool down
Capacity retention rate of more than 65% after 4,000 cycles under normal charge and discharge conditions
Blade battery technology – high safety, long lifespan, wide temperature range operation
Single-battery, multi-shift solution – eliminates the need for multiple batteries and change-out stations
BYD ECB Series – Available in capacities from 2.0 to 5.0 tonnes (ECB20/25/27/40/45/50), powered by 80V lithium iron phosphate batteries.
Noblelift
Noblelift is a listed company and a leading manufacturer of electric forklifts, pallet trucks, and warehouse equipment.
2026 New Releases:
Omega AI Forklift – 5,000–6,500 lb capacity, powered by the NobleOne AI platform and proprietary MERC swappable lithium battery system
FE4P220N Heavy-Duty Lithium Forklift – 22,000 lb capacity, 96V/920Ah LiFePO₄ lithium battery, fully charged in 2–2.5 hours, supports opportunity charging for continuous multi-shift operation
FE4P30N (2024–2026) – Specifications:
Capacity: 3.0 t
Standard tires: —
FE4P16N (2024–2026) – Specifications:
Capacity: 1.6 t
Voltage: 48V
Traction motor: 6.8 kW
Total width: 1,150 mm
EP Equipment
EP Equipment is a leading Chinese manufacturer of electric forklifts, reach trucks, and warehouse equipment. At LogiMAT 2026, EP Equipment spotlighted scalable warehouse solutions, intelligent automation, the new EP PRO Line trucks, and high-voltage forklift trucks.
2026 Models:
EP EFL 303A – Electric forklift built on a diesel-style chassis with the same size wheels as a diesel forklift, offering better performance on gravel and winter conditions
EP EFL 203P – 4-wheel lithium, 2,000 kg capacity
EP EFL 30 Pro – 2026 model with 33 hours, 5,450 kg gross weight, triplex mast
EP EFXZ-251 Greenline – 2,500 kg capacity, 205Ah lithium battery
EP EFXZ-351-H – 3,500 kg capacity, modern lithium battery
High-Voltage Architecture – EP’s lithium-ion high-voltage forklift trucks represent a fundamental shift in electric material handling technology.
Zhongli (EP Equipment Group)
Zhongli is a major Chinese electric forklift manufacturer known for innovative lithium-ion solutions.
2026 Models:
Fourth-Generation “Oil-to-Electric” Lithium Forklift – Travel speed reaches 19–20 km/h, 40% faster than traditional 3T IC forklifts; climbing ability increased to 28%
CPD15TV8 Cold Storage Lithium Forklift – 1.5-ton capacity, three-wheel, designed for -40°C cold storage operations with high-protection electrical components and low-temperature hydraulic oil
CQE15S Electric Reach Truck – 1.5-ton capacity, stand-on operation, 3,000 mm lift height
Longking (Lonking)
Longking is a major Chinese construction machinery manufacturer expanding into electric forklifts.
Model Capacity Key Features
CPD30-5H3L 3.0 t 4.5m triplex mast, 280Ah battery, 5-6 hour runtime
CPD35-5H3L 3.5 t 4.5m duplex mast, side shift, 280Ah battery
CPDS20-NI 2.0 t 3,000mm lift height, 1,698mm turning radius
LG20BE 3-wheel electric 1.6m turning radius, compact design for narrow aisles
CDP30NL 3.0 t Lithium electric, imported/domestic key components
Longking LGFT18T-E – 18-ton rated load, dual permanent magnet synchronous motors, large-capacity CATL LFP battery with fast charging support.
Zoomlion
Zoomlion produces the FB30Z electric forklift (3.0-ton capacity, 80V system, 12 kW traction motor, 14 kW hoist motor, 2.245 m turning radius, 3.045 m lift height).
LiuGong
LiuGong offers electric forklifts including the CPCD35-EMJ (3.5-ton, 80V high-performance lithium battery), CPD30/35-EJL, and CPD90/100-EYH models.
2026 Pricing Guide
New Electric Forklift Prices (2026)
Brand Model Capacity Price (RMB) Source
Haohang 3-ton electric 3.0 t 62,000+ RMB Manufacturer
Haohang 1.5-3.5 ton electric 1.5-3.5 t 16,500 RMB Manufacturer
Generic 3-ton electric 3.0 t 180,000–220,000 RMB Industry estimate
Typical Lease Costs:
Short-term rental: 300–500 RMB/day
Long-term rental: ~20% of purchase price/year
Note: Prices vary significantly by brand, capacity, battery type (lead-acid vs. lithium-ion), mast configuration, and region. Lithium-ion models command higher upfront costs but offer lower total cost of ownership.
Battery Technology – The Core Advantage
Lithium-Ion Battery Specifications:
Cycle life: 3,000–10,000 charge-discharge cycles
IP67 waterproof rating
Wide operating temperature range: -40°C to 65°C – suitable for cold chain and mining applications
Cost decline: Average price of forklift LiB packs dropped to RMB 823/kWh in 2025 – a 31.6% fall from 2023
Domestic battery suppliers:
CATL, BYD, Pylontech mass-produce forklift-dedicated LFP battery packs
Industry Chain – Complete Localization
China has achieved full domestic substitution of the three core electric components (battery, motor, electric control). The country boasts a complete industrial chain spanning steel, motors, electronic controls, and lithium batteries, with world-leading supporting capacity.
Gaps remain in:
High-end electric control systems
Chips
Heavy-duty high-tonnage technologies
However, domestic manufacturers have achieved breakthroughs in ultra-heavy-duty 70-ton electric forklifts.
Buying Considerations for Chinese Electric Forklifts
1. Assess Your Operational Needs
Light-duty, low-frequency: Walk-behind pallet trucks and stackers (under 1.5 tons) offer the most cost-effective entry point
Medium-duty, single-shift: 2-3.5 ton counterbalance forklifts with lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries
Heavy-duty, multi-shift: 3-10 ton lithium-ion models with fast-charging capability
2. Choose the Right Battery Technology
Lithium-ion: Higher upfront cost, but lower total cost of ownership, zero maintenance, fast charging, and longer lifespan. Recommended for multi-shift operations and indoor applications
Lead-acid: Lower upfront cost, but requires regular maintenance, longer charging time, and shorter lifespan. Gradually being phased out
3. Consider Total Cost of Ownership
A 3-ton lithium-ion forklift has a full-lifecycle cost lower than diesel counterparts, with a payback period of around 4 years
Factor in purchase price, battery replacement costs, energy consumption, maintenance, and expected lifespan
4. Verify Manufacturer Certifications
Look for ISO9001:2015 certification
Check CE marking for European markets
Verify export experience and customer references
5. Source from Reputable Manufacturers
Top-tier: Heli, Hangcha – best for reliability and extensive service networks
Lithium specialists: BYD – best lithium-ion technology
Value-focused: Noblelift, EP Equipment, Zhongli – competitive pricing for warehouse solutions
Heavy-duty: Longking, Zoomlion, LiuGong – large-capacity electric forklifts
6. Factory-Direct Purchasing
Buying directly from Chinese manufacturers can save 20–30% compared to agent channels. Many manufacturers offer one-stop services including transport, packaging, and export support.
Summary
China’s electric forklift industry in 2026 is the world’s largest and fastest-growing, with sales projected to exceed 1.12 million units and a market size surpassing RMB 108 billion. Lithium-ion penetration has reached 68.5% of electric forklift sales, with costs continuing to decline. Leading manufacturers – Heli, Hangcha, BYD, Noblelift, EP Equipment, Zhongli, Longking, Zoomlion, and LiuGong – offer a comprehensive range from 1.0-ton compact warehouse trucks to 70-ton ultra-heavy-duty electric forklifts.
Prices for a 3-ton electric forklift range from approximately RMB 62,000 for value brands to RMB 180,000–220,000 for premium configurations. With full localization of core components, declining battery costs, and strong policy support, Chinese electric forklifts offer exceptional value for global buyers seeking reliable, cost-effective material handling solutions.