A Jungheinrich electric counterbalance forklift.

Jungheinrich has delivered its 100,000th electric forklift with three-phase AC technology since pioneering the technology 10 years ago.

AC technology, now in its third generation in some Jungheinrich forklifts, is an alternating current supplied by the regular electricity network. It increases the output of electric forklifts and has the potential to decrease operating costs.

A company statement said a 2.5 ton electric forklift that worked 2,000 hours a year could save up to EUR4,000 (USD4,916) in energy costs with three-phase AC technology.

"Jungheinrich trucks, which have already been fitted with the third generation of three-phase AC drive systems, have very high efficiency ratios in comparison with their competitors," the statement said.

"Eighty per cent of all two-shift operations carried out with a Jungheinrich electric truck no longer need a battery change. The battery is recharged during the intermediate shift or overnight. It is possible to dispense with an exchange battery and thus also with a battery-changing station with crane."

Company spokesperson Jan-Abu Kaulfuhs said the technology was used in other manufacturers' forklifts but Jungheinrich was the first to release it to the market.