EUROPE - The advances in battery technology keep charging forward and changing the capabilities of many materials handling and road haulage options which hitherto would have required the torque and longevity of an internal combustion drive train to optimise performance. Now fork truck maker Hyster has released details of its latest creation, the J8.0XN forklift truck, claiming it is the first time an 8 tonne electric truck can deliver ‘near ICE performance’.

The J8.0XN was previewed at the Hyster® HUB event held in Weeze, Germany earlier this month where international press and VIPs witnessed a comparison between the J8.0XN and an equivalent ICE (internal combustion engine) truck. The new model has a top speed of 21.4km/h (unladen) and 18km/h (laden) which Hyster claims is a full 4km/hr more than the nearest competitor, while noise levels in the driving seat reach just 73 dB(A).

Using the latest large Li ION battery ensures long endurance, giving a stable performance over a full shift before recharge, even lasting up to three shifts. From flat, the battery can be fully charged in two hours and Hyster claims it will sustain high endurance levels during its operational life. The initial cost of the truck, battery and charger is higher, but in the right applications, the overall cost of operation over the life of the truck Hyster calculate will be significantly less .Phil Ireland, Senior Product Strategy Manager comments:

“The new J8.0XN is faster to accelerate over the first 15 metres and lifts at the same speed as the Hyster® ICE model [and] provides similar performance to the Hyster® LPG equivalent in most normal paper, timber and steel applications, giving businesses the option for zero emissions and quieter operations. It is an 8 tonne capacity forklift that will suit companies with large fleets and will be particularly interesting for timber firms that produce their own electricity. The truck combines Lithium ION with high voltage systems and superior motor technology.”