The availability of fossil energy sources is limited. Their price is rising, their consumption damages the global climate. We are confronting the technical challenge this poses: Linde Material Handling is working intensively on the development of the most environmentally friendly and economical vehicles possible and is expediting the development of alternative drive technologies.
Given the current state of technology, electric motors for forklift trucks are the most environmentally friendly drive system. Thanks to a multitude of technical innovations, the new electric forklift trucks from Linde set standards in terms of performance and economy. However, in the event of heavy demands, their performance is insufficient. Here forklift trucks with combustion engines are superior. Linde is examining various technologies that save fuel. For example, start-stop automatic drives: forklift trucks are on average in idle for about 30 percent of their operating time. The hybrid drive is also promising in terms of its saving potential: electric and combustion motors complement each other. Energy recovered while braking can be fed into the battery. The boost provides additional power by switching the electric drive in addition to the combustion engine.
But only use of the hydrogen-powered fuel cell promises energy that manages without the emission of environmentally harmful carbon dioxide. Together with partners Linde is working on the development of practical solutions here. Until this has been achieved, natural gas suggests itself as an interim solution. Its energy density is admittedly lower, but in return its CO2 emissions are lower too than those of conventional fuels.
Fuel cells, electric- and hybrid drives start silently, drive extremely quietly and work without jolting. Consequently, they are more comfortable. The air becomes cleaner and soot deposits are avoided on goods. These factors have a positive effect on working conditions and lead to a healthy environment for drivers.
The motors of the future will be more economical and emit lower quantities of pollutants such as soot and carbon dioxide. In the long term the aim is to develop alternative drive technologies that manage without fossil fuels and emit less soot and no CO2.
In the last ten years the oil price has almost trebled, the prices for fossil fuels are rising ever faster. This is why Linde is working on further minimising running costs in the new generations of electric forklift trucks and making electric motors more attractive as an alternative. Fuel cell and hybrid technology will also gain in importance against the background of increasingly strict exhaust norms. In future their cost effectiveness will improve.
