EP 1.8 t Single-phase ✓
EP EFL181
The no-three-phase entry point
- Lift
- 4.8 m
- Battery
- 7.2 kWh Li
- Charger
- 50A built-in charger
- Power
- 15A single-phase
from $175/week ex GST
Matches your site
Melbourne · long-term lithium forklift hire
Five proven lithium forklifts.
One fixed weekly rate.
Stop buying the wrong forklift and stop paying LPG bills. We put the right lithium machine on your site — matched to your loads, racking and power supply — on a fully maintained 12–60 month term with dealer-backed service across Melbourne.
- From $175/wk ex GST
- 12–60 month terms
- Servicing included
- Delivered metro-wide
The fleet
Pick your forklift in two minutes
Every model we run, side by side. Tell us three things about your site and we’ll highlight what fits — no 200-product catalogue to wade through.
Answer three questions about your site
Showing all five models. Pick your load, power and lift needs to see which machines fit.
EP 2.5 t
EP EFX5-251
The 2.5 t workhorse
- Lift
- 4.5 m
- Battery
- 22.4 kWh Li
- Charger
- 60A external charger
- Power
- Three-phase
from $210/week ex GST
Matches your site
EP 3.5 t
EP EFX5-351
Real 3.5 t capacity, small price step
- Lift
- 4.5 m
- Battery
- 22.4 kWh Li
- Charger
- 60A external charger
- Power
- Three-phase
from $229/week ex GST
Matches your site
BYD 2 t FFL
BYD EL20-Pro
High-rack & container specialist, 2 t
- Lift
- 4.8 m FFL
- Battery
- 16.8 kWh Li
- Charger
- 100A fast charger
- Power
- Three-phase
from $225/week ex GST
Matches your site
BYD 2.5 t FFL
BYD EL25-Pro
Premium 2.5 t: FFL + fast charge
- Lift
- 4.8 m FFL
- Battery
- 21.6 kWh Li
- Charger
- 100A fast charger
- Power
- Three-phase
from $235/week ex GST
Matches your site
Side by side
Full specification comparison
| Specification | EP EFL181 | EP EFX5-251 | EP EFX5-351 | BYD EL20-Pro | BYD EL25-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rated capacity | 1.8 t (1,800 kg) | 2.5 t (2,500 kg) | 3.5 t (3,500 kg) | 2 t (2,000 kg) | 2.5 t (2,500 kg) |
| Mast | 4.8 m triplex | 4.5 m triplex | 4.5 m triplex | 4.8 m triplex FFL | 4.8 m triplex FFL |
| Full free lift | — | — | — | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Battery | 48V / 150Ah lithium (≈7.2 kWh) | 80V / 280Ah lithium (≈22.4 kWh) | 80V / 280Ah lithium (≈22.4 kWh) | 80V / 210Ah LFP lithium (≈16.8 kWh) | 80V / 270Ah LFP lithium (≈21.6 kWh) |
| Charger | 48V/50A built-in charger | 80V/60A external charger | 80V/60A external charger | 80V/100A fast charger | 80V/100A fast charger |
| Site power | 15A single-phase outlet | Three-phase | Three-phase | Three-phase | Three-phase |
| Tyres | Solid tyres | Solid tyres | Solid tyres | Solid tyres | Solid tyres |
| Attachments | Integrated side shift, 1070 mm tynes | Side shift, 4-spool valve, LED work + warning lights, OPSS, 1070 mm tynes | Side shift, 4-spool valve, LED work + warning lights, OPSS, 1070 mm tynes | Hang-on side shift, 4-function valve, 1070 mm tynes | Hang-on side shift, 4-function valve, 1070 mm tynes |
| Best for | Small warehouses, retail back-of-house, e-commerce and auto parts | General warehousing, manufacturing, beverage, timber and building supplies | Steel, stone, paper rolls, moulds, machinery and heavy building products | High-frequency warehousing, 3PL and production-line supply | Food & beverage, manufacturing and established 3PL operations |
| From (weekly, ex GST) | $175/wk | $210/wk | $229/wk | $225/wk | $235/wk |
Indicative from-rates, ex GST, based on a 36-month fully maintained term. Final quote subject to site assessment, annual hours, configuration and credit approval. Rates reviewed August 2026.
How it works
From enquiry to forklift on your floor
- 01
Fit assessment
Ten minutes on your loads, lift heights, aisles, doorways and power supply. We check the load charts so you never get a machine that can’t do the job at height.
- 02
Same-day quote
A written weekly rate with everything itemised — term, servicing, delivery, hours allowance. No “from” price bait, no hidden conditions.
- 03
Dealer delivery
Your forklift arrives commissioned, safety-checked and documented, delivered by the authorised dealer network with operator handover.
- 04
Serviced & supported
Scheduled servicing is included. Breakdowns get a rapid dealer response, and every inspection is logged — compliance records kept for you.
Why lithium, why now
The running-cost case is not subtle
$3–5k
typical annual energy cost for an electric forklift on single-shift work — versus $18–22k in fuel for a comparable diesel. LPG sits in between and keeps rising.
0 min
battery watering, acid checks or battery-room ventilation. Lithium packs are sealed, maintenance-free and safe to opportunity-charge in normal work areas with a compliant setup.
30–45 min
of break-time charging on our 100A fast-charge BYD models puts a meaningful charge back in the pack — many sites run multi-shift on a single battery.
Energy figures are indicative market ranges for Melbourne (reviewed August 2026); your actual costs depend on tariffs, hours and duty cycle. We’ll model your site in the quote.
Before anything else
What power does your site have?
It’s the first question we ask, because it decides your options. Four of our five models need a three-phase outlet for their chargers. If your site only has standard power points, the EP EFL181 is built exactly for you — it charges from a normal 15A single-phase socket.
Read the charging guideWhere we deliver
Melbourne’s industrial heartland, covered
Nearly 70% of Melbourne’s industrial floorspace sits in the west and south-east — and that’s where our dealer service network is strongest.
WEST
Truganina · Laverton North · Derrimut · Altona
Melbourne’s biggest logistics corridor — 3PL, national DCs and new-build warehousing off the West Gate and Deer Park bypass.
SOUTH-EAST
Dandenong South · Keysborough · Braeside
The manufacturing engine of Victoria — and home to our supplying dealer network, so service response here is fastest of all.
NORTH
Campbellfield · Epping · Somerton
Growing fast around the Hume corridor with food processing, wholesale trade and new distribution estates.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
What does long-term forklift hire include?
Our agreements run 12 to 60 months and include scheduled servicing and fair wear-and-tear maintenance, coordinated through the dealer network that supplies and supports the machines. You get one fixed weekly rate ex GST — no surprise service bills for normal use. Damage, misuse, tyres beyond fair wear and excess hours are quoted separately and spelled out in the agreement before you sign.
How much does long-term forklift hire cost in Melbourne?
Our five lithium models start from $175/week ex GST on a 36-month fully maintained term (reviewed August 2026). Melbourne market rates for comparable electric counterbalance forklifts generally run $150–$255/week depending on capacity, mast, term and what is included. See our pricing page for the full breakdown.
Do I need three-phase power for an electric forklift?
Four of our five models charge from an external three-phase charger. The EP EFL181 is the exception — it charges from a standard 15A single-phase outlet, which makes it the right choice for smaller sites without three-phase supply. It is the first question we ask in every quote.
Who delivers and services the forklift?
Machines are delivered, serviced and supported by the authorised EP and BYD dealer network in Melbourne, with parts warehouses and technicians in the south-east and west. We coordinate everything — you have one number to call.
What licence do my operators need?
In Victoria, operating a counterbalance forklift requires a High Risk Work Licence (LF class) issued under WorkSafe Victoria requirements. We provide the machine documentation, load charts and pre-start checklists; your operators must hold the licence.
Can I upgrade or swap models during the term?
Yes — if your loads or racking change, we re-run the fit assessment and can swap you to a different model in the fleet. Like-for-like replacement during major repairs is part of the service conversation we have with you up front.
Tell us your site. We’ll tell you the right forklift.
Ten minutes of fit questions, a same-day written quote, dealer delivery across Melbourne.