Manitou Group has presented its roadmap for research and development on hydrogen-powered machines. With this comes the company’s first innovative prototype telehandler running on green hydrogen.
Energy Transition Acceleration
Manitou’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 34% per hour of use of its machines in 2030, in line with the commitments of its low-carbon trajectory communicated in January 2022 and validated by the SBTi in July.
Following the recent electrification of its all-terrain platform and telehandler ranges, the company is also looking to hydrogen as a medium-term alternative for its users.
Manitou Group wants to see its electric and hydrogen ranges side by side depending on each user’s applications, with a target of 43% low-emissions products marketed in 2030.
A Dedicated Hydrogen Development Plan
By outfitting its test center out with a green hydrogen station, Manitou now has the means for testing its brand-new prototype telehandler. The first step of this plan involves guaranteeing range and reliability in real-life conditions, while testing the durability of components.
Manitou based this first prototype on an existing model from its range of construction machines, capable of lifting loads up to 46’. This machine will be tested and sent out to construction sites by the end of 2023 to collect valuable feedback from users to improve on the prototype.
Two types of hydrogen technology are currently being evaluated by the market, namely the combustion engine and the fuel cell. The first prototype is built around a fuel cell, but Manitou will choose the hydrogen solutions that best meet the needs of its customers.
“We are studying all the hydrogen-related technologies based on what users need. This prototype is only the first step. A second rotating telehandler prototype will be developed in the coming months. There are many benefits of green hydrogen with production possible using wind power that has no greenhouse gas emissions at all. This fits in perfectly with our low-carbon trajectory,” said Michel Denis, managing director of Manitou Group.
With this first prototype, Manitou is showcasing its ability to innovate in order to measure the autonomy of this new energy while offering its customers the hydrogen solution that best meets their needs, but without compromising on performance. Almost 50 engineers and technicians are dedicated to this approach, which was launched in 2021. To come up with an innovative solution that can be fully industrialized, the Group hopes to rely on the support of the public authorities to develop an emerging ecosystem.
“The green hydrogen sector is gradually becoming more established with the entry onto this market of a number of players,” said Julien Waechter, VP R&D Manitou Group. “All of the aid mechanisms proposed by the different governments will encourage the transition to hydrogen, and will speed up the development of the distribution network and ultimately the reduction in the usage costs of our machines using this energy."
With these new facilities, Manitou Group hopes to offer its customers new innovative prospects, and a 100% hydrogen-powered telehandler available on the market by 2026.
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
