Scissor lifts are common work-from-height equipment used in various installation, repair and maintenance projects, ranging from HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and shop fitting to mechanical and electrical work, and more.
When choosing your scissor lift, you may need to consider various factors, such as whether an electric indoor scissor lift is required or a diesel-powered access platform. Other factors like location, emissions, and noise regulations may also affect your decision.
In this blog, we’ll cover the differences between electric, diesel and hybrid scissor lifts, how to choose the right one for your project and how to hire your next MEWP with Horizon Platforms.
What is an Electric Scissor Lift?
Electric scissor lifts are well known for their eco-friendliness and quiet operation. They are aerial work platform lifts that use electric power to raise and lower people who work at heights.
These powered access platforms don’t require fuel power and are considerably quieter than their diesel-engine counterparts; plus, they don’t emit any fumes. Electric scissor lifts are also called indoor access platforms because they are perfect for indoor use as they emit minimal operational noise and offer a unique blend of efficiency.
Discover the best scissor lifts for indoor work in our blog.
Along with the above, many electric scissor lifts are designed with non-marking tyres to operate on finished surfaces. They are also ideal for common projects, including warehouse racking, retail fit outs, conference and event setups, and TV and film set productions.
Advantages of an Electric Scissor Lift
There are many advantages when it comes to hiring an electrical MEWP, including:
Performance
Electric scissor lifts can work efficiently for long periods at height and also operate silently, benefitting work in or near indoor or busy areas outdoors.
With electric scissor lifts becoming more popular and emissions regulations continuing to grow, more companies are advancing technologies to manufacture electric rough terrain models for outdoor work. With further developments, it is quite possible that one day diesel powered access machines could no longer exist and become a footnote in history.
Safety
As the diesel engine is removed, electric scissor lifts make a safer working environment as there are no fumes from the engine’s exhaust.
Plus, advances in scissor lift performance mean that most electric MEWPs are also totally smooth to operate, giving a seamless working-at-height experience that further improves safety.
Sustainability
Electric scissor lifts are the more environmentally friendly to hire when choosing between battery-powered and diesel-powered MEWPs.
Below are four sustainability benefits of choosing an electric access platform.
- Better for sensitive environments
- Reduced air pollution
- Reduced noise pollution
- Help businesses meet sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals
Want to take more steps to sustainability? Read our blog on the top environmentally-friendly tips to consider when hiring a powered access platform.
Disadvantages of an Electric Scissor Lift
While electric scissor lifts have great benefits, there are some disadvantages to consider when hiring or purchasing one, such as:
Although electric scissor lifts are designed to work a full day, if you forget to charge the machine or machines aren’t delivered fully charged or you don’t have access to charging, entire work days can be lost.
Electric Scissor Lift Frequently Asked Questions
How do you recharge electric scissor lift batteries?
To recharge the batteries on an electric scissor lift, connect the lift to a charging station using a power connection. The charging time varies according to the battery capacity and the charging technology used.
What is MEWP Battery Regeneration?
Battery regeneration refers to a process aimed at restoring the performance of access platform batteries. Scissor lifts rely on efficient and reliable battery systems to power their operations. However, they can experience degradation due to several factors, such as battery age and frequency of use.
The MEWP battery regeneration process involves thoroughly assessing the battery’s current condition to identify whether it needs restoration to improve its overall lifespan.
Learn more about MEWP battery regeneration in our recent blog post on how access platform battery regeneration can support sustainability.
How do you maintain an electric scissor lift?
Regular battery, control system, and hydraulic component checks are required to maintain an electric-powered scissor lift. This is why we carry out a mandatory extensive pre-delivery inspection across all our electric access platforms to assess their overall health and safety before delivery.
With that said, daily pre-use inspections must also be carried out by operators, including visual and function checks to verify the ground, platform and emergency controls are all functioning correctly before using the MEWP.
What is a Diesel Scissor Lift?
Diesel scissor lifts are MEWPs powered by diesel-fuelled engines, and typically used for working at height outdoors.
They come in a wider range of maximum working heights, widths, safe working loads and capacities.
Advantages of a Diesel Scissor Lift
The advantages of diesel scissor lifts include:
- They are powerful and have a great lifting capacity
- They perform well on rough terrain
- They can be refuelled at any time – helpful in rural areas or worksites that lack charging infrastructure.
Disadvantages of a Diesel Scissor Lift
There are a few disadvantages of diesel scissor lifts to consider, including:
- They can emit potentially harmful fumes
- Their engines can create more noise pollution
- While they cost less upfront than electric scissor lifts, they cost more to maintain.
If you are looking for a reliable access platform provider to hire a diesel access platform, read our blog with top tips on choosing a reliable scissor lift provider.
What is a Hybrid Scissor Lift?
Hybrid scissor lifts allow you to change between electric and diesel power. and are a great compromise between the advantages of diesel and electric MEWPs
Advantages of a Hybrid Scissor Lift
There are many advantages when it comes to hiring a hybrid scissor lift, including:
- Produce zero emissions in electric mode
- They are the best of both worlds as they combine the best features of diesel and electric scissor lifts
- They provide the added reliability of two power sources.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Electric and Diesel Scissor Lifts
When choosing whether your project requires an electric or diesel scissor lift, you will need to consider a few essential factors. For example, if your project is within an indoor setting, you will likely require an electric scissor lift because many indoor sites require low emissions, reduced noise, and non-marking tyres.
| Electrical Scissor Lifts | Diesel Scissor Lifts | |
| Pros | Ideal for Indoor Use Require No Fuel Non-Marking Tyres No Noise Pollution Can Have Fewer Components to Maintain | Increased Runtime Easy to Refuel High Lift Capacities Ideal for Outdoor Use |
| Cons | Runtime Can Be Impacted Must have Access to Power | Not Suitable for Indoor Projects Create Emissions More Expensive to Maintain |
For more information on what to consider when choosing a scissor lift, read our blog, 5 questions to ask before hiring an access platform.
Hiring Electric and Diesel Scissor Lifts with Horizon Platforms
Choose us and rent electric, diesel or hybrid scissor lifts perfectly suited to your project specifications. From our nationwide fleet of cherry pickers, scissor lifts and more, you can select from a wide range of MEWP brands and find competitive pricing.
Whether you need your scissor lifts for long or short-term hire, use our Platform Finder Tool to help find the perfect scissor lift rentals and other equipment for your next project.
It’s important to pick the right equipment for the job; sometimes, that won’t be a scissor lift. You can refer to our Understanding Your MEWPs blog to determine what type of access platform will work best for you.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your access platform needs, or head to our blog to keep up with the latest news on electric, diesel and hybrid MEWPs.