Manitou has officially launched its first fully electric rough terrain telehandler, the MT 625e, specifically designed to meet the heavy-duty demands of agricultural and industrial sites where conventional warehouse electric forklifts cannot operate. Scaling electric powertrains to rough terrain equipment has been notoriously difficult due to the high continuous torque required to traverse mud, gravel, and steep inclines, coupled with the need for robust chassis articulation. Manitou's new platform addresses these challenges without relying on a heavy, range-limiting battery pack.
The MT 625e is driven by independent, high-torque electric wheel motors rather than a central drive motor connected via a traditional drivetrain. This direct-drive architecture eliminates the heavy differential and drive axles, freeing up significant chassis space for a high-density lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack while maintaining the machine's 2.5-ton lifting capacity and 6-meter lift height. The electric motors provide instantaneous maximum torque from zero RPM, allowing the telehandler to power out of deep mud without the gear lag typical of diesel engines.
A critical innovation for off-road electric operation is the thermal management of the battery under high-load draw. When driving up a steep agricultural embankment with a heavy load, the LFP pack can experience rapid temperature spikes. Manitou integrated an active, liquid-cooled battery management system that circulates a glycol-water mixture through the battery cells. If the system detects localized heating during a demanding lift-and-carry cycle, it automatically engages an auxiliary electric radiator fan to dump the heat, preventing thermal derating and ensuring the machine completes the lift.
Furthermore, the MT 625e retains Manitou's signature hydraulic chassis leveling system. The electric hydraulic pump provides instant, high-pressure flow to the leveling cylinders, allowing the operator to compensate for uneven terrain up to 15 degrees without sacrificing lift stability. By proving that electric drivetrains can match the brute torque and articulation of diesel rough terrain handlers, Manitou is opening the door to zero-emission operations on dairy farms, lumber yards, and remote infrastructure sites.
