Kalmar teams with Bosch Rexroth to develop electric heavy lift trucks

This collaboration, says Kalmar, represents another significant milestone on its journey to offer electrically-powered options for its entire equipment portfolio by 2021.

Bosch Rexroth, a world-leading supplier of drive and control technologies, is expanding its portfolio to develop solutions for the next generation of mobile equipment. The company will collaborate with Kalmar on a complete solution for eco-efficient electrically powered versions of the Kalmar reach stacker and Kalmar heavy forklift, both due for launch in 2021.

The new electric reach stacker and heavy forklift solutions will join Kalmar’s growing portfolio of fully electric equipment. The portfolio already includes light and medium forklift trucks, Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors, shuttle and straddle carriers, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and yard cranes.

Seppo Heino, Vice President, Counterbalanced Container Handling, Kalmar, said: “We firmly believe that electricity is the power source of the future and have committed to making our full portfolio available as electrically powered by 2021.

"With this collaboration, we will be able to provide our customers with one of the most efficient solutions on the market for electric heavy vehicles with the help of Bosch Rexroth’s world-leading knowledge in hydraulic, electric and gearbox technology. The goal is to build a collaboration that is founded on openness and transparency to develop a flexible platform that meets the varied needs of our customers.”

Stefan Hultqvist, Vice President, Forklift Trucks, Kalmar, said: “With the advances in battery and driveline technologies, electricity is now a viable option for heavier and more challenging forklift applications. Through the collaboration with Bosch Rexroth, our goal is to bring to market a heavy forklift solution that will help our customers hit their productivity targets in an environmentally friendly way.”

Matthias Kielbassa, Project Director Off-Highway Electrification, Bosch Rexroth, said: “At Bosch Rexroth we have made a strong, strategic commitment to extend our portfolio towards solutions for electrified mobile working machines. We are looking forward to our collaboration with Kalmar to provide best-in-class solutions for their next generation of mobile equipment.”

Kalmar has already collaborated with TransPower, Inc on orders for the T2E, the electric drive version of the popular T2 Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractor.

Addendum, 26th November: Kalmar has signed an agreement with Mexican ferry operator Baja Ferries to supply 20 Ottawa T2 terminal tractors for use in ro-ro port operations. The tractors will be delivered during Q1 2020. Baja Ferries’ routes connect Baja California Sur with the rest of Mexico via two routes in the Sea of ​​Cortez. The line has already been operating Kalmar terminal tractors for three years under a rental agreement with Tracsa/Sitsa.