The emission-free construction site: electric forklifts in construction

Why construction is electrifying at an accelerated pace

Nitrogen regulations, zero-emission zones, and sustainability requirements in tenders are turning zero-emission equipment from a competitive advantage into a prerequisite. Those who invest in electric now can continue to compete for inner-city and government projects — while saving substantially on fuel in the meantime, as you can read in our TCO guide.

Can an electric forklift handle the construction site?

The modern generation does. The Hyundai B-X series is designed for outdoor work: high ground clearance, super-elastic off-road tires, IP-sealed electronics against dust and rain, and torque that matches diesel. Until 16 tons available from stock, and from September 2026 until 18 tons with the new 180B-X. Read also the outdoor use decision aid.

Charging on a construction site without permanent power

Charging can be done via construction power (three-phase power connection), a battery container, or a temporary grid connection. Li-ion batteries top up their charge during breaks (opportunity charging), making one battery last a full day. We think along with the charging infrastructure per project.

SSEB and tax benefits

For zero-emission construction equipment, there is the SSEB scheme (Subsidy for Clean and Zero-Emission Construction Equipment), with purchase subsidies for construction companies. In addition, electric forklifts often MIA/Vamil benefit op. The current terms and conditions can be found at RVO. The regulations change every year and have budget ceilings — we provide the documentation and think along about the application timing.

For whom diesel still makes sense for now

If you primarily operate on private, remote sites without a power supply and with very long operating hours, a Stage V diesel remains an excellent choice — read what Stage V means. For mixed fleets, we often put together a combination: electric where possible, diesel where necessary. See also our experience in the building materials store.