The Manitou Group has unveiled its research and development plan for hydrogen-powered equipment, including the debut of its first green hydrogen-powered telehandler prototype.
Manitou Group has embarked on an ambitious course, in keeping with the commitments of its low-carbon trajectory communicated in January 2022 and validated by the SBTi in July, with a target of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 34% per hour of usage of its machines.
In addition to electrifying its all-terrain platform and telehandler product lines recently, the business is also considering hydrogen as a short- to medium-term alternative for its customers. With an aim of 43% low-emission products being marketed in 2030, Manitou Group wants to see its electric and hydrogen ranges side by side depending on each user’s applications.
This plan’s initial phase entails ensuring range and dependability under real-world circumstances and evaluating the component durability. This initial prototype was based on an existing design from the Group’s selection of construction machines, which can lift loads up to 14 meters. By the end of 2023, this machine will be tested and distributed to construction sites with the goal of gathering helpful user feedback that can be used to refine this prototype.
The market is now evaluating the combustion engine and fuel cell as two forms of hydrogen technologies. The Group’s initial prototype is based on a fuel cell, but it will ultimately select the hydrogen technologies that best serve its clients’ demands.
The Group is demonstrating its capacity for innovation with this first prototype by measuring the autonomy of this new energy while providing its clients with the hydrogen solution that best suits their needs without sacrificing performance. This strategy, which was introduced in 2021, has about 50 engineers and technicians working on it.
A 100% hydrogen-powered telehandler will be on the market by 2026, and Manitou Group intends to offer its customers new, cutting-edge opportunities with the help of these new facilities.
