Photos: klk.

Nearly 20 years ago, Linde MH sent an E12 to E20 series electric forklift up the side of a water tower on rails on the island of Juist to demonstrate the drive system's performance. Now, the new Xi and E14 to E20 series have also undergone a kind of vertical launch. "Real rockets," so to speak.

At a press presentation for an international audience at its headquarters in Aschaffenburg, Linde Material Handling unveiled its new product lines, which, due to their largely identical construction, comprise a total of 26 new three- and four-wheeled models with payload capacities from 1.0 to 2.0 t. Particularly noteworthy are the twelve Xi models with integrated 90-volt lithium-ion batteries and the proven synchronous reluctance drive.

In 14 further variants, users can switch the existing standard electric forklifts Linde E14 to E20 (1.4 to 2.0 t) and trough battery between lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries according to the "plug & play" principle and – a striking advantage – continue to use existing batteries, but also use fuel cells due to the matching dimensions.

Plenty of room for the 2-meter-tall man

A remarkable feat of production lies in the fact that electric and combustion engine forklifts can now be manufactured on the same model platform. The new industrial trucks are exceptionally compact, as demonstrated by a specially summoned forklift driver, "Thomas," whose height significantly exceeds the two-meter limit for average users, but which is seemingly effortlessly compensated for by adjusting the seat and steering wheel position.

Between 2024 and 2027, demand is expected to increase by 4 to 6 percent in this load capacity class, says Ulrike Just, the new Head of Sales for EMEA, who recently joined the Executive Board. The E12 to E20 was already the best-selling model in this segment in 2023, with 110,000 units sold industry-wide, according to Linde MH's Chief Product Portfolio Strategist, Torsten Rochelmeyer (more reports to follow).

www.linde-mh.de