In a groundbreaking partnership, Volvo Penta, a leading provider of power solutions for the industrial sector, has joined forces with Italian manufacturer FTMH (Fantuzzi Team Material Handling) to develop a remarkable range of electric forklifts. With a weight capacity of up to an astonishing 52 tonnes, these cutting-edge electric forklifts are set to revolutionize the material handling industry.
The first model to undergo electrification will be the FTF 26-12, a 26-tonne forklift that currently relies on a traditional Volvo Penta diesel engine. However, with the electric transformation, it will be reborn as the FTF 26-12 EL. Powered by a 600-volt electric drive system, which incorporates a state-of-the-art Volvo Penta battery boasting a remarkable 360 kWh capacity, these forklifts will offer unparalleled performance. The battery can be charged with an impressive 250 kW, allowing for a swift charging process of just over an hour, ensuring minimal downtime for operators.
Zeyd Okutan, the Product Manager at Volvo Penta, emphasizes the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This partnership serves as another testament to our unwavering commitment to the material handling segment, showcasing its immense potential. Ports and logistic terminals are ideally suited for electrification, and we foresee tremendous opportunities for fleets to transition to zero-emission vehicles, including forklifts, empty container handlers, reach-stackers, and terminal tractors. With robust infrastructure and well-defined duty-cycles, the industry will seamlessly undergo this transformative shift, resulting in benefits such as reduced noise pollution, increased uptime, and enhanced productivity.”
Eugenio Ponzini, Technical Manager at FTMH, highlights the pivotal role of their exclusive Volvo Penta dealer in Italy, CARMI, in the project. CARMI’s unwavering support ensures that the development of these electric material handling machines, which we hope will be the first of many, is progressing smoothly in Brescello.
This initiative by Volvo Penta marks yet another stride towards their commitment to sustainable mobility solutions. The company has previously ventured into electrifying the marine sector in collaboration with Danfoss Editron and has developed electric drive systems for fire trucks in partnership with Rosenbauer. Notably, they electrified a diesel ferry back in 2019, firmly establishing themselves as trailblazers in the realm of electric mobility.
The collaboration between Volvo Penta and FTMH in the development of electric forklifts presents an exciting opportunity for the material handling industry. As these eco-friendly forklifts become increasingly widespread, they have the potential to transform the way goods are transported, offering a greener and more efficient future for logistics operations worldwide.
