Still Running Diesel?
Here's What It's Really Costing You.
Irish and Northern Irish businesses switching to EP electric are saving €8,000–€12,000 per machine per year in fuel and servicing alone. See your exact numbers below.
Diesel forklifts carry hidden costs most businesses don't measure
Most operators know their fuel bill. But the full cost of running diesel is usually far higher once you factor in maintenance, indoor air quality compliance, and the impact on your team.
Fuel is expensive and unpredictable
A single counterbalance forklift running 8 hours a day consumes 7,500+ litres of diesel a year. At current Irish prices, that's €12,000–€14,000 in fuel alone — per machine, per year.
High service and maintenance bills
Diesel engines need regular oil changes, fuel and air filters, exhaust maintenance, coolant checks, and more. Annual servicing typically runs €3,000–€6,000 per machine on top of your fuel costs.
Indoor fumes and ventilation requirements
Running diesel indoors demands costly ventilation systems and creates genuine health risks for your team. In enclosed warehouses, carbon monoxide and particulates are a real safety and compliance concern.
Growing emissions pressure
Carbon reporting requirements are increasing for businesses across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Diesel fleet emissions are increasingly difficult to justify as regulations tighten and customers ask questions.
EP electric forklifts change the economics completely
EP Equipment is the world's largest manufacturer of electric pallet trucks, with a full range of electric forklifts designed to replace diesel across every application — all powered by maintenance-free Lithium-Ion technology.
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Up to 70% lower energy costs
Electricity costs a fraction of diesel per unit of energy. An equivalent EP electric forklift running the same hours will typically cost €3,500–€5,500 per year in electricity versus €12,000+ in diesel fuel — a saving of thousands per machine, every year.
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30–40% lower annual servicing costs
Electric forklifts have far fewer moving parts than diesel. No engine oil, no fuel filters, no air filters, no exhaust system, no coolant maintenance. EP Li-Ion batteries are completely maintenance-free — no watering, no equalising charge, no battery room required.
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Zero emissions — safe for indoor use, no ventilation needed
EP electric forklifts produce no exhaust fumes whatsoever. No ventilation requirements, no air quality monitoring, no CO alarms. A safer, healthier working environment for your team — and significantly quieter too.
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Li-Ion: opportunity charging, no downtime, no maintenance
EP Li-Ion batteries charge fully in 1.5–2 hours and can be topped up at any point without damaging the battery. No battery swapping, no dedicated charging room, no lead-acid watering schedules. One machine. One battery. Ready when you are.
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A full electric equivalent for every diesel machine in your fleet
EP electric forklifts are available in 3-wheel, 4-wheel counterbalance, indoor/outdoor, reach truck, order picker, stacker, and high-capacity configurations — up to 8 tonnes. Whatever your diesel fleet looks like today, there is an EP electric equivalent for every machine in it.
Diesel vs EP Electric — the full picture
| Factor | 🛢️ Diesel | ⚡ EP Electric (Li-Ion) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel / energy cost | €12,000–€15,000+ | €3,500–€5,500 |
| Annual service & maintenance | €3,000–€6,000 | 30–40% less than diesel |
| Indoor emissions | ❌ Requires ventilation | ✅ Zero emissions |
| Battery maintenance | N/A | ✅ None required (Li-Ion) |
| Opportunity charging | ❌ Not applicable | ✅ Top up at any break |
| Noise level | High | ✅ Low — quieter for operators |
| Cold start issues | ❌ Yes — especially in winter | ✅ No — instant start every time |
| Consistent power all shift | Yes | ✅ Yes — no drop-off with Li-Ion |
| Carbon footprint | High | ✅ Significantly lower |
| Operator health & comfort | Fumes, noise, vibration | ✅ Cleaner, quieter, smoother |
Calculate Your Exact Savings
Enter your current figures below. Every field is editable — adjust to match your exact operation. Results update live.
⚙️ Electric forklifts typically cost 30–40% less to service than diesel — no engine oil, no air or fuel filters, no exhaust maintenance, no coolant system. EP Li-Ion batteries require zero maintenance.
| Cost | 🛢️ Diesel (current) | ⚡ EP Electric | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel / energy | — | — | — |
| Service & maintenance | — | — | — |
| Tyres & other | — | — | — |
| Total annual cost | — | — | — |
Leave your details and we'll follow up with a quote and specification sheet tailored to your operation.
Why Lithium-Ion changes everything
Not all electric forklifts are equal. EP Equipment's Lithium-Ion technology is a major step forward from traditional lead-acid (AGM) batteries — and from diesel.
Charges fully in 1.5 to 2 hours
Traditional lead-acid batteries take 8+ hours to charge. EP Li-Ion is ready in under 2 hours — your machine is never out of action for long.
Opportunity charging during breaks
Top up during a tea break or shift change with no damage to the battery. No memory effect — partial charging is completely fine with Li-Ion.
3,000+ charge cycles
Rated for over 3,000 cycles — roughly double the life of a lead-acid battery — and with consistent performance from start to finish throughout that life.
Completely maintenance-free
No watering, no equalising charges, no acid spills, no battery room. EP Li-Ion is fully sealed. You plug it in, you use it. That's all.
Full power right through the shift
Lead-acid batteries lose performance as they discharge. Li-Ion delivers full power from 100% all the way down — no slowdown at the end of a shift.
No battery room or infrastructure needed
Lead-acid requires a ventilated charging room and specialist handling. EP Li-Ion charges on the machine at any standard outlet — zero infrastructure cost.
Everything you want to know about switching to electric
Ready to Make the Switch?
Talk to our team about your current fleet. We'll identify the right EP electric machines for your operation and give you a clear picture of the costs and savings you can expect.