If you're evaluating electric compact telehandlers for US operations, the MTA 519e gives you the best balance of battery size (33 kWh) and lift height (19 ft) in the category. But cold-climate operations and remote jobsites without reliable AC power should stick with diesel for now. Compare JCB 525-60E for extra reach, Merlo e-Worker for longer runtime.
Manitou’s MTA 519e is the company’s first battery-powered compact telehandler, and it lands in the US market in Q2 2026. The machine runs a 33 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, delivers 19 ft 1 in (5.82 m) lift height at 5,500 lb (2,495 kg) max capacity, and weighs 10,483 lb (4,756 kg). The electric drive motor puts out 200 Nm of torque. Dimensions come in at 12 ft 7 in long, 5 ft 11 in wide, and 6 ft 4 in tall — compact enough for indoor work and tight jobsites.
The 33 kWh battery delivers roughly 5 hours of continuous runtime. Manitou has not published exact charging times, but industry benchmarks for lithium packs in this class (JCB’s 24 kWh pack charges in approximately 2.5 hours on a Level 2 charger) suggest 3.5 to 4.5 hours for a full charge at 7.2 kW AC input. Partial charging during breaks is supported, so you can top off during lunch and extend your working window to a full shift if your duty cycle involves intermittent lifting rather than continuous operation.
One of the more practical features is universal skid steer attachment compatibility. If you already run a mixed compact fleet with skid steer tooling — buckets, pallet forks, grapples — the MTA 519e slots in without buying new attachments. Manitou claims 56% lower maintenance costs versus its diesel equivalent and 30% less hydraulic oil consumption, which tracks with what other OEMs report for electric drivetrains in the 2.5-ton class.
How it stacks up against the competition:
| Spec | Manitou MTA 519e | JCB 525-60E | Merlo e-Worker EW 25.5 | Faresin 6.26 Full Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max lift height | 5.82 m (19 ft 1 in) | 6.0 m (19 ft 8 in) | 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in) | 5.79 m (19 ft) |
| Max capacity | 2,495 kg (5,500 lb) | 2,500 kg (5,511 lb) | 2,500 kg (5,511 lb) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lb) |
| Battery | 33 kWh Li-ion | 24 kWh Li-ion (96V) | Not disclosed (44 kW motor) | 32 kWh Li-ion |
| Runtime | ~5 hrs continuous | ~4 hrs typical | ~8 hrs (at 6 kW/h avg) | ~5-6 hrs estimated |
| Max travel speed | Not disclosed | 15 km/h | 20 km/h | 12 km/h |
| Weight | 4,756 kg | ~5,000 kg est. | ~4,500 kg est. | 4,800 kg |
The JCB 525-60E edges the Manitou on lift height by 18 cm but runs a smaller 24 kWh battery. Merlo’s e-Worker sacrifices 1 m of reach for the longest runtime in this class — up to 8 hours, which matters if you cannot charge mid-shift. The Faresin 6.26 carries the heaviest loads at 2,600 kg with a comparable 32 kWh pack, but its 12 km/h travel speed makes it slower on large sites.
Where this falls short: Manitou has not disclosed pricing, but compact electric telehandlers from JCB and Merlo currently list between $85,000 and $120,000 in North America and Europe — expect the MTA 519e to land in a similar range. Battery performance degrades in cold weather; if you operate below -10°C regularly, plan for 20-30% range reduction based on lithium-ion behavior at low temperatures. The 5-hour runtime also assumes moderate duty cycles. Continuous heavy lifting at full capacity will drain the pack faster. And charging infrastructure is a real consideration: if your jobsite runs on generator power, you need a reliable 7.2 kW+ AC source, which not every remote site provides.
For now, US availability only. Manitou has not announced EU or Asia-Pacific launch dates, though European deliveries typically follow US launches by 6-12 months for Manitou’s compact lineup. If you are sourcing for African or Central Asian projects where diesel infrastructure is established but electric charging is not, the diesel MTA 519 H remains the practical choice until local charging networks catch up.
