By making changes to its three-wheel ERP15-20VT series, Yale has launched what it says is the most energy efficient forklift in Europe.

The model's energy consumption figures are based on the standard VDI 2198 60-cycle test.

Yale expects that energy efficient forklifts are going to become a more important consideration in materials handling in order to cut costs and increase productivity in warehouses. The company believes that changes like the one it has made to its electric forklift will see a vast improvement in both costs and productivity over the course of weeks to months and over a whole year.

To achieve market-leading standards Yale replaced the model's hydraulic service brake system with E-braking, which is regenerative and therefore uses less energy. Similarly, this E-braking system is self-calibrating and will not require maintenance.

The ERP15-20VT series now records an energy consumption figure of 4.4 kWh/h and two performance modes, either high performance or energy low, can be chosen to suit the application or the operator.