Tony Miller

Toyota Material Handling, USA has announced the approval of a new line-up of lithium-ion batteries for use in its three- and four-wheel electric sit-down models. The maker claims to be the first manufacturer in the industry to obtain UL-E and UL-EE certification for the combination of forklift and lithium-ion batteries on a sit-down counterbalance truck.

Toyota engineers worked directly with Underwriters Laboratory (UL) to test and certify the use of four new Navitas lithium-ion batteries in Toyota forklifts. This development provides a solution for customers requiring UL-E- or UL-EE-rated forklifts who would also like to benefit from the use of lithium-ion batteries.

"This is the next step on our journey to become a full-line provider of materials handling solutions," says Toyota Material Handling senior vice president Tony Miller. "It’s important to us to offer our customers versatile solutions that are also reliable and safe."

UL is a world leader in product safety testing and certification.

Some of the key benefits of lithium-ion batteries over traditional lead-acid batteries include lower maintenance costs, longer run times, increased performance, faster and more efficient charging, and less downtime.

Toyota’s latest lithium-ion battery offering is part of the company’s aggressive development plan to provide a wide variety of alternative energy solutions to its customers through Toyota Energy Solutions.

"We remain committed to delivering the best products in the industry, and that extends to alternative energy solutions," Miller adds. "As the market evolves and customers demand new and innovative ways to power their forklifts, we will offer solutions nobody else in the industry can because of Toyota’s commitment to quality and our unmatched dealer network."