Linde electric trucks in the load capacity range from six to eight tons are available with lithium-ion batteries.

Linde has filled the gap in its lithium-ion line-up, now accommodating this power source in its 6 – 8 T models.

The technology was introduced with pallet trucks four years ago, and since 2017, lithium-ion power has been available as an option for almost all electrically powered Linde series with a load capacity of up to 5 T. Now, Linde has added further models to fill the last gaps in its product range, including electric counterbalance trucks that can lift loads of up to 8 T.

"Only very few manufacturers offer electric forklifts in this load category," says Björn Walter, product manager - counterbalance trucks at Linde Material Handling. "We are, therefore, proud to provide a complete solution consisting of a lithium-ion battery plus a charger for these heavy-duty vehicles, too. This is where the benefits of lithium-ion technology, such as longer availability and doing away with the need to change batteries, as well as positive effects like higher driving speeds and favourable temperature behaviour, are particularly evident."

All models in this series can be equipped with a powerful 90 v lithium-ion battery with almost 120 kWh capacity. Chargers with 9 kW, 17 kW and 30 kW are available – depending on how quickly the (intermediate) charging of the battery has to take place during operation.

A key advantage is the elimination of the need to change batteries. "A lead-acid battery of this size weighs about three tons and must be replaced with the help of a forklift, for example," says Walter. "This not only costs time and money, but also involves numerous risks, such as injury to employees or damage to the battery or vehicle."

In addition, lithium-ion trucks generate lower levels of CO2 than forklifts with lead-acid batteries and diesel drives. The lithium-ion battery also performs better with regard to other emissions - no harmful battery gases requiring extraction are produced during the charging process.