Volvo Penta to electrify FTMH forklifts

Volvo Penta and Italian heavy equipment manufacturer FTMH (Fantuzzi Team Material Handling) have expanded their partnership to include electric forklifts. The partnership will now develop a full range of e-forklifts up to 52 tonnes.

The partnership will develop a full range of e-forklifts up to 52 tonnes. (Photo: Volvo Penta)

The first of the FTMH models to be electrified will be the 26-tonne-capacity FTF 26-12, which is currently equipped with a Volvo Penta D8. As the FTF 26-12 EL, it will incorporate a 600V electric drivetrain powered by a Volvo Penta battery system with an installed capacity of 350 kWh. The e-forklift will be compatible with high-power charging at rates up to 250 kW DC, allowing for a full charge to be delivered in just over an hour, with the potential for opportunity charging during pauses in operation.

Volvo Penta and FTMH have worked closely for 10 years, with the Italian cargo-handling equipment manufacturer integrating D11 diesel engines into its range of 45-tonne full-container handling reach stackers, and a broader range of Volvo Penta units across its 15- to 52-tonne capacity general forklift series.

“The positive and active collaboration we experienced with Volvo Penta during the development of our internal combustion machines facilitated our decision to invest and partner on this new project,” said Eugenio Ponzini, technical manager, FTMH. “Our exclusive Volvo Penta dealer in Italy, CARMI, is a key partner in the project, supporting the development of what we all hope will be the first of a wide range of electric material handling machinery to be manufactured in Brescello.”

Zeyd Okutan, product manager, Volvo Penta, views the latest collaboration between the companies as “another proof point highlighting our focus and the high potential of the material-handling segment.”

“Port operations and logistic terminals are a good fit for electrification, and we see great opportunities for fleets with zero-emission vehicles, including forklifts, empty container handlers, reach-stackers and terminal tractors,” he said. “Good infrastructure and well-defined duty cycles will ease the transformation of the industry, bringing benefits including reduced noise, increased uptime and productivity.”