Buying Guide
When you're hiring a scissor lift, boom lift or cherry picker, one of the first decisions you'll make is electric or diesel. It's not just about power — the choice affects safety, site suitability, running costs and compliance. Here's how to decide.
Electric machines are battery-powered. They produce no exhaust emissions, run quietly and don't require fuel deliveries or fuel storage on site.
Best suited for:
SOS tip: Electric machines require access to a power source for overnight charging. Make sure your site has suitable charging facilities before specifying electric equipment for a long-term hire.
Diesel machines run on standard diesel fuel and are typically more powerful than their electric equivalents. They're built for outdoor use on rough terrain.
Best suited for:
Important: Never use a diesel machine indoors or in enclosed spaces without proper ventilation. Carbon monoxide from diesel exhaust is a serious safety hazard.
Some machines — particularly certain boom lifts — are available in dual-power configurations that can switch between diesel and electric operation. These offer flexibility for sites that transition between indoor and outdoor phases, but they come at a higher hire cost.
Not sure which is right for your site? Contact the SOS team — we'll talk through your site conditions and recommend the most suitable option from our rental fleet.
The SOS team has 20+ years of experience matching access equipment to jobs across Cape Town and the Western Cape. We'll advise you on the right machine and give you a same-day quote.