Five years. One truck. The costs that add up.
Illustrative example1USD • per truck
BYD ELECTRIC VS. PROPANE
Move beyond
Move beyond
propane.
Rethink what powers your fleet. Explore lower operating costs, simpler daily upkeep, and zero tailpipe exhaust—with BYD’s lithium iron phosphate battery at the heart of it all.
The strength starts with the battery.
19.7%Lower modeled five-year cost1Purchase + energy + maintenance
≈35 monthsModeled purchase-gap recovery1Based on 2,500 operating hours per year
ZeroTailpipe exhaust during operationNo combustion engine on the truck
01 THE BUSINESS CASEThe purchase price
The purchase price
is only the beginning.
Energy and maintenance keep adding up long after delivery. This example shows how BYD can turn those ongoing costs into a financial advantage.
1 Planning example in USD at 2,500 hours/year. Includes equipment purchase, energy and maintenance only. Charging infrastructure and other ownership costs are excluded. Confirm equipment, battery and charger scope in current quotes. See all assumptions below.
Enter your own numbers. Every chart on this page updates as you type. Results are planning estimates, not a quote.
Five-year modeled difference: $14,750 per truck.
WHEN THE CURVES CROSS
Operating
Operating
savings.
Year after year.
A higher initial investment can be offset by lower recurring costs. In this example, the $20,000 purchase premium is recovered in about 35 months.
$6,950/year
Modeled energy + maintenance savings1
- Propane: $10,000/year
- BYD Electric: $3,050/year
- Simple recovery: $20,000 ÷ $6,950.
Illustrative cash costs; no financing, discounting or residual value.
02 THE BYD DIFFERENCEThe battery makes
The battery makes
the switch practical.
BYD develops the forklift, lithium iron phosphate battery and charger as a system. That integration is the foundation of its electric advantage.
A system designed to work together
Truck, battery and charging technology from one manufacturer—with energy needs considered from the start.
Make breaks part of the charging plan
Opportunity charging can replenish energy during planned stops. Match the battery and charger to your shift pattern.
Less routine battery care
LFP batteries need no watering or equalization. The forklift still requires scheduled inspections and service.
Multi-shift suitability depends on the selected model, load, route, temperature, battery capacity and available charging time. Validate the complete duty cycle with your BYD representative.
Explore BYD battery technology03 THE EVERYDAY ADVANTAGEA different way
A different way
to run every shift.
The switch reaches beyond the fuel bill. It changes the tasks, infrastructure and working conditions around your trucks.
| What changes | Propane forklift | BYD LFP electric forklift |
|---|---|---|
| Energy replenishment | Exchange cylinders and manage fuel delivery, handling and storage. | Plug in at planned stops.Build charging into the workflow. |
| Engine service | Maintain engine oil, filters, spark plugs and the propane fuel system. | Remove combustion-engine tasks.Continue routine truck maintenance. |
| Exhaust at the truck | Combustion produces CO₂ and can produce carbon monoxide. | No tailpipe exhaust.Eliminate that source of workplace emissions. |
| Operator environment | Engine noise, heat and vibration are part of daily operation. | A quieter electric drivetrain.Less engine-related noise and vibration. |
| Energy infrastructure | Plan for cylinder supply, storage and refueling procedures. | Plan electrical capacity and chargers.Size the system for your fleet and shifts. |
Both truck types require inspections, trained operators, tires, brakes, hydraulics and application-appropriate maintenance. Charging must follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
04 WHERE YOUR PEOPLE WORK
Leave the tailpipe
Leave the tailpipe
out of the
building.
Electric drive eliminates exhaust at the truck. That means no tailpipe CO₂—and no combustion-generated carbon monoxide from the forklift.
The graph isolates emissions at the point of use. Electricity generation and battery manufacturing belong in a separate lifecycle assessment.Annual tailpipe CO₂: a visible difference.
TAILPIPE CO₂ · LB / YEAR / TRUCKPropane31,700 lb
BYD Electric
0 lbNo tailpipe CO₂
Illustrative propane use: 1 US gallon/hour × 2,500 hours/year.
2,500 gallons × 12.68 lb CO₂/gallon = 31,700 lb CO₂. Factor: U.S. EIA.2
Actual fuel burn varies. Upstream and manufacturing emissions are excluded.
05 BUILT AROUND YOUR OPERATION
Make the switch with a plan.
Turn a compelling example into a decision based on your facility, your loads and your schedule.
Specify the right truck.
Confirm lift capacity, mast height, attachments, aisle width, surfaces and operating temperature.
Design the charging routine.
Review electrical service, charger locations, available breaks and the energy each shift requires.
Validate a working shift.
Measure energy use and charging time on your routes, then build a quote with the full installed cost.
Every operation is different. Propane offers rapid cylinder refueling. Where electrical capacity or charging windows are limited, compare those constraints before selecting an electric configuration. Our electric forklift buyer’s guide covers truck types, batteries, and charging options.
Build your electric business case.
Share your hours, loads and energy rates. A BYD expert will help you validate the right truck, battery and charger.
2 U.S. Energy Information Administration, carbon dioxide emissions coefficients for propane.