Market Forecast By Class (Class 1, 2, 3, 4/5), By Propulsion (Electric, ICE), By Battery Type (Li-Ion, Lead Acid) And Competitive Landscape
| Product Code: ETC4566445 | Publication Date: Jul 2023 | Updated Date: Nov 2025 | Product Type: Report | |
| Publisher: 6Wresearch | Author: Dhaval Chaurasia | No. of Pages: 85 | No. of Figures: 45 | No. of Tables: 25 |
The India forklift market import shipment demonstrated robust growth with a notable CAGR from 2020 to 2024. Although there was a slight dip in the growth rate between 2023 and 2024, the overall trend indicates a substantial expansion, showcasing positive momentum in the market.

According to 6Wresearch internal database and industry insights,
Below mentioned are the evaluations of year-wise growth rate along with key drivers:
| Years | Estimated Annual Growth (%) | Key Growth Drivers |
| 2020 | 3.1 | Essential operations in food, pharmaceuticals, and basic goods kept warehouses running; steady replacement demand. |
| 2021 | 5.6 | Expansion of e-commerce and third-party logistics; new warehouses in major industrial corridors. |
| 2022 | 7.2 | Make in India initiative led to plant upgrades and growth in retail and fast-moving consumer goods distribution. |
| 2023 | 8.4 | Implementation of National Logistics Policy and multimodal parks; focus on safety and better financing options improved adoption. |
| 2024 | 9 | Rising cold chain investments, port capacity expansion, and higher use of electric models in large fleets. |
The India Forklift Market report thoroughly covers the market by class, propulsion, and battery type. The report provides an unbiased and detailed analysis of ongoing market trends, opportunities/high-growth areas, and market drivers that will help stakeholders devise and align strategies according to current and future market dynamics.
| Report Name | India Forklift Market |
| Forecast period | 2025-2031 |
| CAGR | 9.7% |
| Growing Sector | Industrial Equipment and Material Handling |
The India Forklift Industry is set to expand with strong warehousing growth, manufacturing upgrades, and wider use of modern material handling systems. Demand is supported by e-commerce fulfillment, retail distribution hubs, ports, and industrial corridors. Electric models are gaining share due to lower running costs and indoor air quality needs, while internal combustion engine models remain important for outdoor yards and heavy loads. Financing plans, rental fleets, and maintenance contracts are helping small and mid-sized users adopt new equipment.
Below mentioned are some prominent drivers and their influence on the India Forklift Market dynamics:
| Drivers | Main Segments Affected | Why It Matters |
| Warehousing and Logistics Expansion | Class; Propulsion | New storage hubs and fulfillment centers require reliable lifting equipment to operate continuously and efficiently. |
| Manufacturing Modernization | Class | Upgrading plants to improve safety and productivity increases the need for forklifts across production areas and yards. |
| Shift Toward Clean and Quiet Operations | Propulsion; Battery Type | Warehouses and food facilities prefer electric forklifts to lower noise levels and improve indoor air quality. |
| Total Cost of Ownership Focus | Class; Propulsion | Electric forklifts save energy, have fewer moving parts, and better battery management, making them more cost-effective in the long term. |
| Finance, Rental, and Service Coverage | Class | Leasing, rentals, and service agreements help reduce initial costs and ensure high uptime for small and mid-size businesses. |
The India Forklift Market is expected to grow steadily at an 9.7% CAGR between 2025 and 2031. The upward growth of the market is driven by stronger warehousing networks, more retail and e-commerce activity, and modernization of factories and ports. Added domestic production capacity, better availability of batteries and chargers, and a broad dealer and rental ecosystem are improving access and affordability. The market also benefits from safety training programs, telematics for fleet management, and cold chain growth. Continued investments in logistics parks, port terminals, and industrial corridors will maintain demand across new purchases and fleet replacements. All these factors hugely contribute to the India Forklift Market Growth.
Below mentioned are some major restraints and their influence on the India Forklift Market dynamics:
| Restraints | Main Segments Affected | What This Means |
| High Upfront Cost for Electric Models | Propulsion; Battery Type | Electric forklifts and batteries are costly, limiting small buyer adoption. |
| Charging and Power Readiness | Propulsion; Battery Type | Lack of charging stations and stable power slows electric fleet use. |
| Skilled Operator and Technician Gap | Class | Few trained workers reduce safety and increase downtime. |
| Rough Yard Conditions and Overloading | Class | Poor surfaces and heavy loads cause quick wear and safety issues. |
| Parts and Lead Time Variability | Class; Propulsion | Import dependence delays spare parts and repairs. |
Key challenges include building charging and battery swapping capacity inside busy warehouses, improving training for safe operations, and raising the service reach in tier-2 and tier-3 locations. Ensuring dependable power supply, standardizing preventive maintenance, and improving telematics use for battery health are also vital. Better residual value discovery and certified used equipment channels will support smaller buyers and improve lifecycle economics.
Several significant trends are impacting India Forklift Market:
Some of the notable investment opportunities are:
Below is the list of prominent companies leading in the India Forklift Market Share:
| Company Name | Godrej Material Handling (Godrej & Boyce) |
| Established Year | 1963 |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Leading Indian manufacturer with wide range across electric and internal combustion models; strong sales, rental, and service network with focus on safety training and localization.
| Company Name | KION India (Linde/Voltas) |
| Established Year | 2006 (India operations under KION Group) |
| Headquarters | Pune, India |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Offers premium lift trucks and warehouse equipment under Linde and Voltas brands; known for advanced hydraulics, ergonomics, and growing electric lineup.
| Company Name | Toyota Material Handling India |
| Established Year | 2005 (India) |
| Headquarters | Bangalore, India |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Provides forklifts and warehouse trucks with strong focus on reliability, safety systems, and operator comfort; wide after-sales coverage.
| Company Name | Jungheinrich India |
| Established Year | 1953 (Group legacy; India subsidiary later) |
| Headquarters | Hyderabad, India |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Specialist in electric forklifts and warehouse trucks; recognized for lithium-ion integration, telematics, and automation-ready solutions.
| Company Name | Hyster-Yale Group India |
| Established Year | 1929 (Group legacy; India presence later) |
| Headquarters | Pune, India |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Broad portfolio from compact electric units to heavy-duty internal combustion models; strong yard applications and port handling expertise.
According to Indian government data, initiatives such as the National Logistics Policy, PM GatiShakti for integrated infrastructure planning, and development of multimodal logistics parks are improving warehouse capacity and goods movement. Examples include state warehouse projects with safety norms, skill development programs for operators under government and industry bodies, and incentives for domestic manufacturing of industrial equipment under production-linked schemes. Port modernization and cold chain grants in agriculture and pharmaceuticals are also raising demand for safe and efficient material handling.
The India Forklift Industry will maintain steady growth as warehouse density rises, ports and industrial corridors expand, and more users shift to electric fleets. Better charging layouts, fast chargers, and lithium-ion packs will improve multi-shift operations. Wider service coverage, rental models, and certified used channels will support small and mid-size buyers. With stronger safety culture and digital fleet tools, users will achieve higher productivity, lower downtime, and safer sites across the country.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the subsequent market segments and their leading categories.
According to Vineet, Senior Research Analyst, 6Wresearch, Class 3 (electric pallet trucks and walkies) is expected to dominate India forklift market size in volume terms. These units are affordable, simple to operate, and ideal for high-throughput warehouses that handle fast-moving consumer goods, retail, and e-commerce parcels.
Electric forklifts are set to lead, supported by lower energy costs, less maintenance, and better indoor air quality. Warehouses, food sites, and pharmaceuticals favor electric units to reduce fumes and noise.
Lithium-ion batteries are projected to dominate due to fast charging, higher energy efficiency, and long life with minimal maintenance. These qualities support multi-shift operations and reduce downtime in busy fulfillment centers.
The India forklift market provides a detailed analysis of the following market segments:
| 1 Executive Summary |
| 2 Introduction |
| 2.1 Key Highlights of the Report |
| 2.2 Report Description |
| 2.3 Market Scope & Segmentation |
| 2.4 Research Methodology |
| 2.5 Assumptions |
| 3 India Forklift Market Overview |
| 3.1 India Country Macro Economic Indicators |
| 3.2 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 & 2031F |
| 3.3 India Forklift Market - Industry Life Cycle |
| 3.4 India Forklift Market - Porter's Five Forces |
| 3.5 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Class, 2021 & 2031F |
| 3.6 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Propulsion, 2021 & 2031F |
| 3.7 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Battery Type, 2021 & 2031F |
| 4 India Forklift Market Dynamics |
| 4.1 Impact Analysis |
| 4.2 Market Drivers |
| 4.2.1 Growing industrialization and infrastructure development in India leading to increased demand for material handling equipment like forklifts. |
| 4.2.2 Adoption of advanced technologies in forklifts to improve efficiency and productivity in warehouses and logistics operations. |
| 4.2.3 Government initiatives supporting the manufacturing sector and logistics industry, driving the demand for forklifts. |
| 4.3 Market Restraints |
| 4.3.1 High initial investment and maintenance costs associated with forklifts. |
| 4.3.2 Lack of skilled operators for forklifts, leading to operational inefficiencies and safety concerns. |
| 4.3.3 Economic fluctuations and uncertainties impacting the purchasing power of businesses, affecting the demand for forklifts. |
| 5 India Forklift Market Trends |
| 6 India Forklift Market, By Types |
| 6.1 India Forklift Market, By Class |
| 6.1.1 Overview and Analysis |
| 6.1.2 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume, By Class, 2021-2031F |
| 6.1.3 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume, By Class 1, 2021-2031F |
| 6.1.4 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume, By 2, 2021-2031F |
| 6.1.5 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume, By 3, 2021-2031F |
| 6.1.6 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume, By 4/5, 2021-2031F |
| 6.2 India Forklift Market, By Propulsion |
| 6.2.1 Overview and Analysis |
| 6.2.2 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume, By Electric, 2021-2031F |
| 6.2.3 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume, By ICE, 2021-2031F |
| 6.3 India Forklift Market, By Battery Type |
| 6.3.1 Overview and Analysis |
| 6.3.2 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume, By Li-Ion, 2021-2031F |
| 6.3.3 India Forklift Market Revenues & Volume, By Lead Acid, 2021-2031F |
| 7 India Forklift Market Import-Export Trade Statistics |
| 7.1 India Forklift Market Export to Major Countries |
| 7.2 India Forklift Market Imports from Major Countries |
| 8 India Forklift Market Key Performance Indicators |
| 8.1 Average utilization rate of forklifts in warehouses and industrial facilities. |
| 8.2 Frequency of forklift maintenance and repair, indicating equipment reliability. |
| 8.3 Adoption rate of automated forklift technologies in the market. |
| 8.4 Average turnaround time for loading and unloading operations using forklifts. |
| 8.5 Energy efficiency of forklifts in terms of fuel consumption or electricity usage. |
| 9 India Forklift Market - Opportunity Assessment |
| 9.1 India Forklift Market Opportunity Assessment, By Class, 2021 & 2031F |
| 9.2 India Forklift Market Opportunity Assessment, By Propulsion, 2021 & 2031F |
| 9.3 India Forklift Market Opportunity Assessment, By Battery Type, 2021 & 2031F |
| 10 India Forklift Market - Competitive Landscape |
| 10.1 India Forklift Market Revenue Share, By Companies, 2024 |
| 10.2 India Forklift Market Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating and Technical Parameters |
| 11 Company Profiles |
| 12 Recommendations |
| 13 Disclaimer |