Goodbye subsidies hello electric lift truck?

Fuel prices have been rising across the board. And with the subsidy on red diesel coming to an end, these rises are going to hit the operating costs industrial vehicles as hard as they have been hitting the costs of delivery and logistics vehicles.

According to Stewart Gosling of RDD, UK importers of Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, electric trucks are now a genuine alternative to ICE-powered forklifts. Considering Mitsubishi's 4-5.5 tonne EDiA XL, Gosling said: “It will do everything a diesel can do, only better … and much, much cheaper.

“Using the industry standard EN 16796-6 standard to compare energy efficiency, switching from a leading five tonne diesel truck to the Mitsubishi EDiA XL will save you over £33,000 over a typical five-year term.”

But the benefits aren’t purely financial. Electric trucks exhibit greater manoeuvrability and smooth, quiet and pollution-free operation. 

The EDiA XL has an AutoBoost feature that automatically delivers additional power where and when it’s needed – such as driving up steep inclines, and an electric differential lock that delivers additional traction and control, in difficult environments. At the rear of the truck the wheels turn through a 100° lock to help deliver what Mitsubishi claims as the smallest turning circle on the market – typically 500mm less than diesel models – to facilitate greater storage density. Because the EDiA XL utilises four wheel steering, it turns easily without “push-back” when setting off at full lock, eliminating damage to stock or racking.

For an operator used to diesel power, EDiA XL offers a very different driving experience.  Rubber mountings on the comfortable cabin reduce microvibrations while noise levels inside the cabin are extremely low at a claimed 65dB. EDiA XL’s Intelligent Cornering System calculates the velocity, steering angle and load at the very start of a turn (rather than half-way through it, as with rival systems) — maximising both productivity and safety. 

Advanced sensing features like the Adaptive Lift Control and Passive Sway Control ensure lift and lower operations are smooth, stable, consistent and jolt-free regardless of load weight or lift/lower speed.

“With EDiA XL owners and operators of diesel trucks won’t need to sacrifice the convenience and availability they know and love,” said Gosling. “Maintenance-free lithium-ion batteries mean non-stop performance with no battery changes and no topping up – just quick and convenient charging during breaks. It’s even easier than taking a diesel to the pump!”

www.mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk