In a landmark moment for electric mobility, the Merlo e‑WORKER became the first fully electric telehandler to operate at an international motorsport event - and it did so on one of the world’s largest stages: the Formula-E Grand Prix in Rome.

Across the race weekend of 16 July, eleven Merlo e‑WORKER fully‑electric telescopic handlers took on a critical role in track safety operations, supporting more than 300 marshals responsible for managing incidents and keeping the high‑speed street circuit secure.

Electric Innovation at a World‑Class Event

The Formula E World Championship - the pinnacle of electric racing technology - returned to Rome’s EUR Street circuit for the fifth time. Known for its fast straights and bold overtaking opportunities, it’s a track that demands agility, precision and reliability from every piece of equipment on site.

For the first time, those demands were met entirely by electric telehandlers.

Compact Power in Tight Spaces

Gianfranco Bonifacio, Deputy CoC, explained why Merlo was the team’s first choice:

"We decided to use Merlo vehicles because, especially in this case, there are tight spaces, and therefore using compact vehicles would have made life easier for us. The e‑WORKER’s small size and agility gave us a real advantage. The batteries were a pleasant surprise too — consumption was practically negligible, even during heavy handling. The e‑WORKER really left us speechless.”

The e‑WORKER’s manoeuvrability, quiet operation, and zero emissions made it ideal for the unique challenges of an inner‑city circuit, especially one crowded with race infrastructure, barriers and grandstands.

Reliability Meets Safety

Mattia Bodino, Merlo’s Communications Manager, added:

“Merlo was chosen because it is the industry leader in technology and the only manufacturer offering an electric vehicle with this level of performance in such a compact size. For track safety, vehicles must be safe, agile and utterly reliable — there’s simply no margin for error.”

During the race, those qualities were tested to the limit. A dramatic six‑car collision unfolded on the fastest straight of the circuit, one of the most intense accidents in Formula E history. Thanks to the rapid response of Marshals and the efficiency of the e‑WORKERS, the damaged cars were

A Partnership Built on Trust

The collaboration between Merlo and race organisers was praised for its seamless execution. Francesco Cassioli, Event Control Room Delegate, commented:

“I want to thank everyone at Merlo. The synergy was fantastic — rapid response, efficient machinery and well‑trained staff. It was a wonderful partnership, and we’re confident it will continue in our daily activities at the Vallelunga circuit.”

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