Toyota to Bring an IC Hybrid Lift Truck to Market

June 17, 2009
Using technology from Toyota Motor Corp., Toyota Industries Corp. will launch the world’s first internal combustion (IC) hybrid lift truck in Japan in December of this year. Timing for release of the hybrid lift truck into the U.S. market has not yet been determined.

The 3.5-ton diesel-powered lift truck, named the Geneo-Hybrid, is targeted to cut both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in half. The hybrid system combines a 2.5-liter diesel engine with an electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery power.

Toyota Industries explains that this is a dual hybrid system. One system is used for traveling, with the engine driving a generator to charge the battery. The battery powers the drive motor for motion. A second, parallel hybrid system, is used for load handling. This system uses both the engine and the generator to run its load handling hydraulic pump.

“Toyota has been a leader in hybrid development for years with the very popular Prius vehicle,” notes Brett Wood, president of Toyota Material Handling U.S.A., the U.S. distributor for Toyota material handling products and a subsidiary of Toyota Industries Corp. “We are excited to see hybrid technology entering the mainstream of material handling. This is a huge step forward for our industry.”

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