The Geneo Hybrid for the Japanese market.

Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) will launch what it claims is the world's first internal combustion (IC) hybrid forklift in the Japanese market in December 2009.

The "Geneo Hybrid" was developed in response to growing awareness of global warming and high fuel prices.

TICO says the IC hybrid forklift is targeted at the mid-size (over 3 ton load capacity) electric forklift market in Japan.

"While sales volume of electric forklifts has gained a majority share in the Japanese market, mid-size electric forklifts only represent 6% of all mid-size forklift sales," TICO says in a statement.

This is because of the upfront investment required for high-capacity and high-voltage batteries and the installation of charging facilities. Users may also find the battery changeover required in multi-shift operations challenging.

Using Toyota Motor Corporation's hybrid technology, TICO developed a hybrid system to match forklifts that travel while handling a load and frequently start and stop.

The hybrid system combines a diesel engine, electric motor and battery power. According to values measured by TICO based on Japanese industrial standards, the Geneo Hybrid reduces carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption by 50% and performs like a 3.5 ton diesel-powered IC forklift.