On Monday 2 November 2026, Hyundai Forklifts Australia invited representatives from eight Hyundai dealers across Australia to Korea for a three-day VIP program with HD Hyundai. Joining us were Re.Group, Rentcorp, TasTrucks, Norlift, Forkbiz, Kentan, Prolift and Masterlift. HD Hyundai XiteSolution is the company that develops and builds Hyundai forklifts. The visit gave our dealers a first-hand look at the technology behind the forklifts they sell and service.
Day one started at HD Hyundai’s research centre near Seoul. From there we drove to the Technical Center to see Hyundai’s high-voltage electric forklifts and autonomous forklifts, and then visited the Global Education Center. We ended the day back in Seoul with a welcome dinner.
Our first stop was the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center, known as GRC, in Pangyo just south of Seoul. It is the research and development centre for the whole HD Hyundai group.
The building is also home to the Electrification Center, which opened in November 2023. It brought electrification research teams from several HD Hyundai companies together, including the power electronics team from HD Hyundai XiteSolution.
The GRC team welcomed our dealers by name on the large screen in the atrium.
Electric forklifts have mostly been used for lighter work, often indoors, while diesel has been the usual choice for heavy loads and long shifts outdoors.
A high-voltage forklift runs its battery and motor at a higher voltage than a standard electric forklift. This makes it easier to deliver more power and supports faster charging. According to Hyundai, its high-voltage models offer working speed, climbing ability and power comparable to engine-powered forklifts.
After a two-hour drive and lunch, we arrived at the Technical Center, where the Hyundai team showed our dealers its high-voltage forklifts.
The visit came a month after Hyundai launched its range of large electric forklifts from 10 to 18 tonnes. Here are some of the figures Hyundai has published for these models.
| Item | Figure published by Hyundai |
|---|---|
| Run time | Up to 9 hours on a single charge for the 18-tonne model |
| Fast charging | 80 percent in about 90 minutes with the optional 120 kW charger |
| Battery certification | UL 2580, a US safety standard for battery systems |
| Water and dust | Designed to meet IP67 or higher, which suits outdoor work |
Run time and charging time vary with the load, the application and conditions on site.
Hyundai developed the large models for heavy work in places like shipyards, ports and steel mills. Hyundai also says that in moderate duty work, the higher purchase price can be recovered within two to three years compared with diesel. Actual results depend on how the truck is used and on local energy costs.
Your local Hyundai dealer can advise on availability in Australia and help you choose the right model for your site.
An autonomous forklift moves pallets on its own, with nobody in the seat. It usually relies on sensors and a map of the site to find its way, pick up a load and put it down in the right spot.
At the Technical Center, the Hyundai team also introduced its autonomous forklifts to our dealers.
Trucks like these are suited to jobs that repeat all day, such as taking pallets from the end of a production line to storage or moving stock overnight when the floor is quiet.
Our last stop of the afternoon was a visit to the Global Education Center.
You can see the full range of Hyundai high-voltage electric forklifts on our product page. To find out more, contact Hyundai Forklifts Australia or find your nearest dealer.
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