Industrial utility vehicles (IUVs) are the unsung heroes of material handling—bridging the gap between manual labor and heavy-duty forklifts. Unlike recreational UTVs or off-road vehicles built for farms and outdoor work, IUVs are purpose-engineered for factories, warehouses, and large facilities where reliable, high-performance transport is essential.
Whether they’re towing materials, moving personnel, or hauling equipment, industrial utility vehicles streamline operations, reduce worker strain, and maximize productivity. Understanding the different types of IUVs—and how each supports your facility’s workflow—can help you choose the right vehicle for your specific operational needs.
Let’s dive in
What Are Industrial Utility Vehicles?
Industrial utility vehicles (IUVs) are essentially mobile workhorses built for heavy duty tasks in industrial and warehouse environments. They fall under the umbrella of “powered industrial trucks,” which OSHA defines as any “mobile, power-driven vehicle used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier material.”
In other words, IUVs include any motorized carts, tuggers, or carrier vehicles that move materials or equipment around a job site or facility at ground level.
Differences from Commercial UTVs and Side-by-Sides
It’s important to distinguish IUVs from utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) or “side by side” models used on farms or for recreational purposes. A sport utility vehicle or utility task vehicle (like an Arctic Cat or John Deere UTV) is an off-road vehicle with two seats side-by-side in a cab and a small cargo bed for hauling. These are built for rough terrain and general hauling capacity, not for indoor industrial environments.
By contrast, industrial utility vehicles are purpose-built for workplaces — they often have robust construction, roll over protection, seat belts, and raised ground clearance to handle rugged terrain or various tasks safely. They may also feature roll cages, enclosed cabs, air conditioning, and utility vehicle accessories like storage boxes for tools.
Unlike recreational UTV models, IUVs prioritize specialized tasks such as material transport, hauling equipment, or towing capacity rather than trail riding or golf courses.
Safety and Efficiency Considerations
Industrial utility vehicles are engineered to enhance both safety and efficiency in material handling. Using IUVs to carry or tow heavy loads reduces the need for manual lifting, which in turn lowers injury risks.
By letting utility vehicles handle the toughest tasks, businesses protect workers and increase versatility across various forms of material movement. Features like roll cages, seat belts, and improved visibility through high-mounted lights or mirrors make them safer than traditional carts.
Types of Industrial Utility Vehicles
There are many specialized types of utility vehicles, each suited to specific requirements. Below we explore the common types and their typical uses:
Burden Carriers
Burden carriers are flatbed or platform utility vehicles built to carry heavy loads quickly across a facility. They often resemble small electric trucks with a spacious cargo bed or storage box. Burden carriers excel at hauling equipment, parts, or materials at ground level — for example, moving a batch of items from one end of a warehouse to another.
With hauling capacity from one to several tons, a single burden carrier can replace multiple push carts or pickup trucks for heavy hauling.
Common Applications
- Manufacturing plants
- Distribution warehouses
- Maintenance operations
Tow Tractors
Tow tractors (also known as tuggers) are industrial vehicles designed specifically for pulling carts, trailers, or pallet trains. Instead of carrying cargo on a cargo bed, a tow tractor provides towing capabilities to move multiple wheeled carts loaded with materials.
Common Applications
- Distribution centers
- Airports
- Manufacturing
Stock Chasers
Stock chasers are compact, agile utility vehicles used for order picking and small-item transport. They’re essentially slimmed-down burden carriers built for enhanced productivity and speed rather than high payload.
A typical stock chaser has a narrow profile, a standing operator platform, and a modest deck for cargo capacity — just enough to carry boxes or parts.
Common Applications
- Warehouses
- E-commerce fulfillment
- Plant nurseries and agriculture
Personnel Carriers
Personnel carriers are utility vehicles made for transporting multiple passengers rather than materials. In expansive facilities like airports, factories, or campuses, they act as industrial shuttles.
These larger vehicles often resemble road going passenger cars or extended golf carts with a passenger and luggage capacity ranging from two to eight. They make it easy for supervisors to move quickly across a job site or for maintenance crews to carry both people and tools.
Common Applications
- Airports
- Campuses
- Factories
Electric vs Diesel
Electric Utility Vehicles
Electric utility vehicles are battery-powered vehicles (UTVs) that have surged in popularity due to sustainability and performance. Many types of utility machines now use electric power instead of fuel.
Electric industrial utility vehicles produce zero emissions, making them ideal for public roads, warehouses, and indoor environments. They also run quieter than diesel, improving comfort and reducing fatigue.
Electric models feature instant torque for heavy duty start-stop tasks and low maintenance (no oil changes or fuel system upkeep).
Diesel Utility Vehicles
Diesel utility vehicles are traditional workhorses for heavy duty outdoor use. They handle rough terrain and toughest tasks with ease, offering towing capacity and hauling capacity unmatched by electric units.
Their robust construction and four wheel drive make them ideal for construction, mining, and military use where specialized tasks and endurance matter most.
These larger vehicles often feature cargo beds for hauling equipment, air conditioning, and enclosed cabs to protect operators during long shifts.
Comparison to Diesel Utility Vehicles
Electric Utility Vehicles
- Advantages: Clean, quiet, low-cost operation, great for on road or indoor use, better sportier on road behavior.
- Limitations: Limited range and luggage capacity, slower refueling.
Diesel Utility Vehicles
- Advantages: Durable, long-lasting, built for rugged terrain, better towing capabilities and cargo capacity.
- Limitations: Emissions, noise, higher maintenance.
Overall Insight
Many facilities use both types depending on several factors such as workload, terrain vehicles type, and environment.
Choosing the Right Industrial Utility Vehicle for Your Operation
Factors to Consider: Load, Terrain, and Usage Environment
Selecting the ideal utility vehicle depends on specific requirements such as:
- Load capacity: Understand hauling capacity and towing capacity needs.
- Terrain: Smooth floors vs. rugged terrain, public roads, or off-road vehicles.
- Usage: Indoor or outdoor, transporting supplies, or hauling equipment.
Consider multiple combinations of utility vehicle accessories to adapt one machine for various tasks. For instance, easy conversion kits allow swapping a cargo bed for seating to switch between moving materials and multiple passengers.
Evaluate:
- Space constraints (compact vs. larger vehicles)
- Emissions (diesel vs. electric models)
- Durability (robust construction)
- Comfort features (air conditioning, seat belts)
Custom vs. Standard Models
Manufacturers offer a wide range of UTV models and industrial utility vehicles that suit most operations. You can choose from common types or custom-built vehicles for specific requirements.
Custom models are ideal for specialized tasks, while standard vehicles often cover 90% of use cases. Many brands provide utility vehicles with options like roll over protection, spacious cargo beds, and storage boxes for heavy hauling.
Easy conversion systems make these adaptable to various tasks — from trail riding and outdoor recreation to industrial sites and recreational purposes.
Conclusion
Industrial utility vehicles are more than just convenient transport solutions—they’re a critical component of modern material handling strategies. By taking on repetitive or labor-intensive tasks, IUVs enhance safety, reduce downtime, and help teams focus on higher-value work.
Whether you need an electric burden carrier for clean, quiet indoor use or a diesel tow tractor built for rugged outdoor environments, today’s lineup of industrial utility vehicles offers a model for every application. With the right combination of power, payload, and efficiency, these machines ensure that your operation runs smoother, safer, and smarter—every single day.