In true fuel comsumption Linde diesels/lpg units with hydrostatic drives win this race hands down. In operating range from creep to 8-9 mph engine is running at only 1050 rpm. Barely above idle speed. This also allows a 1000 hour pm service interval which is twice as good as any other torgue converter drive unit made today.
In another area of fuel comsumption 80volt electrics in either cushion or pneumatic made by Linde and Jungheinrich are very cost effective as well. I have seen these units run upto 14 hrs on a single charge with recharge cost of approx $2-3 dollars US making these easily justifiable with $100 per barrel oil as of this date. Europe has had high energy cost for many years so that shows why they have designed their lift trucks with that in mind.