Hyster has revealed more details concerning its new 48-tonne electric truck. The zero-emission, high-capacity Big Truck is currently in the testing phase of development at the company’s facility in Weeze, Germany.
“The first trucks are being developed with lithium-ion batteries. However, once fully developed, we aim to offer the truck with a choice of three power options. A combination of a small or medium battery and a Nuvera fuel cell, or it can be
powered by battery only,” said Jan-Willem van den Brand, director, Big Truck
product strategy and solutions, Hyster.
“This truck is being developed in response to the evolving needs of customers, who are increasingly demanding zero-emission trucks to support their environmental goals, while still specifying the right truck for their particular application needs.”
Although Hyster can offer lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries as a power source on many trucks, Li-Ion power will have more limited use in electrifying container handling trucks. Battery capacity is currently not sufficient for the most intense applications without opportunities to re-charge during the shift.
“This is where fuel cells come in,” explained Van den Brand. “These innovative Big Trucks are expected to be able to support continuous operation with operator-friendly recharge or quick H2 (hydrogen fuel) refill options, delivered through our relationship with Nuvera Fuel Cells.”
The truck also offers efficient energy recovery, thanks to a smart system architecture that enables different systems to run at optimum performance independently.
September 22, 2017
