Hybrid & Electric Telescopic Handlers Unveiled

As part of its E-Deutz strategy, Deutz AG presented a modular electrification kit system which has been installed as a fully-working prototype in two telescopic handlers: one with a hybrid drive and a second with a full-electric drive. The two demonstrator vehicles are Liebherr TL 432-7 telescopic handlers and are normally powered by a 74 kW (99 hp) Deutz model TCD 3.6 diesel engine. 

The machines were converted at the Deutz development plant in Cologne, Germany. To produce the battery-electric hybrid drive, Deutz downsized the combustion engine to a 56 kW (75 hp) Deutz TCD 2.2 and supplemented it with a 48 volt/20 kW electric motor; thus, the system delivers a total power output of 76 kW.

 The mechanical connection between the electric motor and the diesel engine is achieved by means of a transmission with integrated decoupler, which allows the diesel engine to be disconnected from the electrical system and provides the option of powering the vehicle purely by electricity. The energy required is generated by raising the diesel engine’s load point and storing the energy in a 10 kWh capacity battery.

The all-electric drive is powered by a 360 volt system and its diesel engine is being completely replaced by a 60 kW electric motor. The telescopic handler is equipped with a battery with a 30.5 kWh capacity, so the machine can work even for lengthy periods at high load.

Deutz said both demonstrator vehicles are fully functional and are not inferior to the original diesel-powered model in terms of performance.  

The prototype drives have been developed by Deutz in cooperation with Torqeedo, the German specialist for integrated electric and hybrid drives for boats that Deutz acquired in September 2017.  

Deutz said its modular and scalable hybrid and full-electric drives can meet the optimum combination for each application. The company foresees a huge potential for installing hybrid and all-electric drives, especially in small and medium-sized equipment.

 From illustrative total cost of ownership (TCO) calculations by Deutz, it is possible to see the period over which a hybrid drive, for example, in a particular application will cover its investment cost. Depending on the customer application, this can be after as little as one year of use. This is partly due to reduced fuel consumption and partly to downsizing the combustion engine, because engines of less than 56 kW do not need a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for exhaust aftertreatment.

 A further benefit of hybridization is the option to integrate additional fuel-saving functions such as start-stop or crankshaft starting, and for power take-offs to run on electricity in future. In 2022/2023, Deutz plans to achieve between 5 and 10% of its overall sales revenue from electrified drives.