How Does a Vehicle Lift Get Power? – Med Mart

When choosing a vehicle lift for your mobility scooter or power wheelchair, one common question is:
“How does the lift actually get power?”

Vehicle lifts are motorized devices, and they need a power source to raise, lower, or swing your mobility device in and out of your vehicle. Luckily, customers have two main options for powering their lift — and the right choice depends on your vehicle, setup, and preferences.

Option 1: Direct Connection to the Vehicle Battery (Wired Harness)

This is the most common method and is usually handled during professional installation.

A wiring harness is run from the lift to your vehicle’s battery, usually in the engine compartment.
The lift draws power directly from your vehicle, so there's no need to charge anything separately.
This setup is reliable and convenient, especially if you use your lift frequently.

Pros:

Always powered when the vehicle is running
No batteries to charge
Clean, permanent solution

Things to Know:

Requires proper installation (typically by a technician or installer)
Draws power from your car battery — minimal impact, but should be monitored

Option 2: Optional Rechargeable Battery Pack

Some vehicle lifts give you the choice to use a self-contained battery pack instead of connecting to your vehicle’s battery.

These battery packs are rechargeable and typically mount on or near the lift itself.
They’re great if you want to avoid modifying your vehicle’s wiring.
Most include an indicator light to show battery level, and can be recharged using a standard wall outlet.

Pros:

No wiring into the vehicle
Great for leased vehicles or temporary installations
Easy to remove, charge, and replace

Things to Know:

Battery needs to be charged regularly, just like your mobility device
May not be available on all lift models

Which Option Is Best for You?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Power Source	Best For
Vehicle Battery Wiring	Frequent users, long-term installation
Rechargeable Battery	Occasional users, leased vehicles, renters

If you're not sure which option fits your needs or vehicle type, we're here to help.

Questions? Let Us Help.

Call our team at 888-413-8994 — we’ll help you understand your power options, installation requirements, and which vehicle lifts are best suited for your setup.

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