HD Hyundai XiteSolution unveils 18-ton electric forklift for heavy industry

HD Hyundai XiteSolution launched a series of electric forklifts with lifting capacities from 10 to 18 tons, expanding its portfolio beyond the mid-size units released last year. The company showcased the new models during a test-drive event at its Eumseong plant in North Chungcheong Province and started serial production. Equipped with high-voltage battery packs and enhanced electric motors, the forklifts deliver speeds, hill-climbing ability and power comparable to diesel counterparts.

The top-spec 18-ton model can run up to nine hours on a charge, with optional fast charging reaching 80% in about 90 minutes, and some variants offering up to 14 hours of operation. Certified to UL 2580 and built to IP67 standards, they are designed for harsh outdoor conditions, and a total-cost-of-ownership analysis suggests the higher upfront price can be recouped within two to three years.