Netherland-headquartered Inland Terminals Group (ITG) has deployed a Hyster battery-electric reach stacker at its Terminal ITG Venray-Wanssum, marking the start of a 24-month field development period to help further validate and refine the technology in real-world terminal operations.

Local Hyster dealer Heffiq assisted with the deal which should see the RSJ46-33XDL battery-powered electric reach stacker operational this month.

Hyster says the reach stacker builds on the development of other Hyster electric container handlers and uses many common systems from previous projects, including the battery electric empty container handler pilot at Malta Freeport Terminals.

The electric reach stacker is powered by four 130kW lithium-ion battery packs with two battery packs placed on either side of the vehicle and can be charged from 20% to 80% in around 4.5 hours.

Hyster says its shared software supports common displays, operator interfaces, service tools and diagnostics.

Lucien Robroek, president of global big trucks with Hyster, says: “Ports around the world are laser-focused on reducing emissions while maintaining high levels of productivity, and ITG is helping lead that transition in inland container transport”.

ITG says it has a proud record of successful sustainability initiatives and was the first inland terminal operator in the Netherlands and Belgium to earn a third Lean & Green Star - a certification recognising results in reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. 

Jan-Jaap Kroft, sustainability manager, Inland Terminals Group adds: “The commissioning of our first fully electric Hyster reach stacker is an important step in making our material handling equipment more sustainable”.

“This investment contributes directly to our ambition to achieve an emission-free transport chain,” Kroft adds. “Together with Hyster and Heffiq, we are continuing to build future-proof and sustainable terminal operations.”