Electric self-propelled fork-lift trucks market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for electric self-propelled fork-lift trucks was fundamentally reshaped between 2018 and 2024 by the accelerated transition from diesel to electric power. This shift was driven by stricter European emissions regulations, which raised the purchase costs of thermal fork-lifts and made electric models more attractive due to their significantly lower operating costs and longer lifespan. The market's evolution was further influenced by the rapid growth of e-commerce and omnichannel retail, which increased logistics demand and boosted sales of electric trucks for warehouse automation.

Substantial state subsidy programs, particularly from BAFA and KfW offering grants of up to 60% for replacing fossil-fueled trucks, provided a strong financial incentive for companies to invest in electric models. This support, alongside the continuous introduction of new product series featuring advanced lithium-ion battery technology by manufacturers like Jungheinrich, helped drive market recovery and growth in value, even as physical volumes experienced fluctuations. The technological shift towards lithium-ion as the standard also contributed to rising average unit prices.

Major manufacturers adapted to increasing global competition, with Jungheinrich announcing cost-saving measures and the planned closure of its Lüneburg production plant by 2027, a direct response to price pressure from Asian manufacturers. Despite this structural adjustment, leading European firms like the KION Group maintained their strong market position through innovation, underscoring a period where regulatory pushes for sustainability and changing logistics needs defined the market's trajectory.

Production electric self-propelled fork-lift trucks in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of electric self-propelled forklift trucks declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 2 861 million US dollars, marking a significant decrease of 18.3% compared to 2019. Production fell by 7.4% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.5%. The peak was reached in 2018, with a value of 3 521 million US dollars, and that year also saw the largest increase at 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Production of electric self-propelled forklift trucks in Germany dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 147.8 thousand units were produced, representing a sharp decline of 18.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 14.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 183.6 thousand units, and the largest increase occurred that same year at 6.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Exports electric self-propelled fork-lift trucks from Germany

Exports in kind, K unit

Following two years of growth, exports of electric self-propelled forklift trucks from Germany declined. In 2020, Germany exported 152.7 thousand units, which was a 12.5% decrease compared to the prior year. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 174.6 thousand units, while the largest increase happened in 2018 at 9.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in terms of volume showed a diverse range of partners. France accounted for 13.7% of exports, Italy for 13.3%, and Spain for 6.5%, together making up only 33.6% of total flows. The remaining 66.4% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of electric self-propelled forklift trucks from Germany fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 2 453 million US dollars, down by 14.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -1.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 899 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred that year at 13.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy was the largest buyer with 14.1% of export value, followed by France at 13.3% and the United Kingdom at 6.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 34.2% of total export value, indicating a diversified country structure with many other markets contributing the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports electric self-propelled fork-lift trucks to Germany

Imports in kind, K unit

After two years of improvement, imports of electric self-propelled forklift trucks into Germany declined. In 2020, imports reached 76.6 thousand units, showing a significant drop of 11.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 86.7 thousand units, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 17.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, China was the leading source for imports in volume, accounting for 36.4%, followed by Italy at 18.0% and France at 17.1%. Together, these three countries made up 71.4% of total imports, remaining the primary destinations for electric self-propelled forklift trucks to Germany.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's imports of electric self-propelled forklift trucks declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 475 million US dollars, a decrease of 7.0% from 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 513 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred that year at 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the period 2017 to 2020, Italy was the main supplier with 26.5% of import value, followed by Sweden at 19.9% and France at 18.7%. These three countries together comprised 65.1% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020