Lithium-ion forklifts that charge on your tea break
EP lithium forklifts and warehouse trucks top up whenever they are parked, need no battery watering and give off no exhaust. A 2.5 tonne EP lithium forklift costs about half as much in energy as a diesel truck on a business day rate, and under a quarter charged overnight.
Or call 01 5267 411 (ROI) or 028 3833 7038 (NI).
What would you save by switching from diesel?
Pick the diesel forklift you run now and how hard it works. We compare it with the EP lithium forklift of the same capacity, using each truck's official energy test figure and Irish prices from SEAI.
About 10 tonnes less CO2 a year, from the fuel burned and the electricity generated.
Send me a price for thisEnergy use per hour on the EN 16796 test (the industry test cycle, at 70% load for diesel): EP EFL203, EP EFL253, EP EFL303, EP EFL353 and the Linde H20 to H35 D datasheet. Prices: SEAI, 1 October 2026, including VAT: gas oil €1.709 a litre, business electricity €0.3347 a kWh (20 to 500 MWh a year) and night rate €0.1456 (needs a night-rate meter). Change either price to your own. CO2: SEAI factors for gas oil and for grid electricity (2021, the latest year SEAI lists). Charger losses, your tariff and how hard the truck works will move the result.
Lithium, lead-acid, diesel and LPG side by side
Lithium is not the only electric option. Here is what changes day to day with each power source.
| Day to day | EP lithium-ion | Lead-acid electric | Diesel | LPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust where it works | None | None | Yes | Yes |
| Charging or refuelling | Charge on any break | Charge in a dedicated, ventilated area | Refuel at the tank | Swap the gas bottle |
| Battery care | No water filling or acid | Top up cells with distilled water | Engine oil, filters and coolant | Engine servicing |
| Charging area | No ventilation needed | Well-ventilated, no smoking or hot work | Fuel storage | Gas bottle cage |
| Rated battery life | Over 2,000 full cycles | About 1,000 full cycles | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Sources: EP lithium-ion battery datasheet; HSE, Using electric storage batteries safely (INDG139).
One battery, a full working day
With lead-acid, a two-shift site often needs a spare battery and a change mid-day. With lithium, the truck tops up while the driver has a break. This is how a day can look.
- 06:00, 100%Shift starts
Full battery from the overnight charge.
- 10:00, 72%Tea break
On the charger while the driver has a cup of tea.
- 13:00, 68%Lunch
Another top-up while the yard is quiet.
- 18:00, 65%Shift change
A quick top-up and the next driver carries on.
- 22:00, 100%Overnight
A full charge on the night rate, ready for the morning.
An example only. Real charge levels depend on the truck, the battery, the charger and the work.
Where lithium works best
Lithium suits most Irish sites, but not every one. We will tell you straight if something else makes more sense.
A strong fit if you
- Run long hours or more than one shift
- Work indoors, in food, drinks or anywhere fumes are a problem
- Want to replace diesel or LPG trucks and cut fuel bills
- Have no room for a battery room or battery changes
- Report on carbon targets
Talk to us first if you
- Work on rough, unmade ground
- Use a truck for an hour or two a week
- Have lead-acid trucks with years of life left in them
Built and tested by EP
EP assembles and tests each lithium-ion battery in its own facilities at its main factory in Anji, and gives every battery its own management system designed to match the truck.
Watched cell by cell
The battery management system tracks cell temperature and protects against voltage and temperature extremes.
Charge on breaks
EP says its lithium batteries are made for shift-break charging, so there are no battery swaps.
Hire it instead
EP lithium forklifts are available on contract hire at a weekly price on a 12-month contract. New trucks, servicing included.
Sources: EP, Lithium-ion battery testing at EP; EP lithium-ion battery datasheet.
Lithium-ion forklift questions
Anything else, call us on 01 5267 411 (ROI) or 028 3833 7038 (NI).
How much cheaper is an electric forklift to run than diesel?
For a 2.5 tonne forklift working 2,000 hours a year at SEAI prices from 1 October 2026, diesel costs about €9,229 a year and an EP EFL253 about €4,846 on a business day rate, or €2,108 charged overnight on a night rate. Use the calculator with your own hours and prices.
What is opportunity charging?
Plugging the truck in whenever it is parked for a while, such as tea breaks, lunch or a shift change. EP says its lithium batteries are built for this, so drivers can use breaks to top up instead of swapping batteries.
How long does a lithium-ion forklift battery last?
EP guarantees its lithium-ion replacement batteries for 2,000 full charge and discharge cycles with over 80% of their capacity left, against about 1,000 cycles for lead-acid. Short top-ups count as part of a cycle, not a full one. We will give you the warranty for the exact EP model you are looking at.
Do lithium forklifts need maintenance?
The battery needs no water filling, acid checks or ventilated battery room. The truck still needs regular servicing and its thorough examination at least every 12 months (GA1 in the Republic, LOLER in Northern Ireland). Our service team covers both.
Are lithium-ion forklifts safe?
Every EP lithium battery has its own battery management system, which watches cell temperature and protects against voltage and temperature extremes. EP assembles and tests each battery in its own facilities before it ships. The battery is sealed, so there is no acid to spill.
Do I need a battery charging room for lithium?
Usually not. Lead-acid batteries give off hydrogen when they charge, so they need a dedicated, well-ventilated charging area. EP lithium batteries need no ventilation or water filling. The charger still needs a sensible spot and the right power supply, and we check that before you order.
Is a lithium-ion forklift more expensive to buy?
Usually, yes, against diesel or lead-acid. Lower energy costs and no battery care win the difference back, faster the more hours the truck works. Contract hire spreads the cost into a weekly price on a 12-month contract, with servicing included.
Can I hire a lithium-ion forklift?
Yes. EP lithium forklifts are available on contract hire at a weekly price on a 12-month contract. Hire trucks are always new and servicing is included. See forklift hire.
Price an EP lithium forklift for your site
Tell us what you lift and how many hours you work. We will recommend the right EP lithium truck, show you the running costs and reply the same working day. Running diesel now? See what switching saves.
Or call 01 5267 411 (ROI) or 028 3833 7038 (NI).