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Manitou Group has presented the first electric retrofit telehandler, part of a collaboration with Europe’s third largest rental company Kiloutou.

The preview of the first unit, convereted from a used combustion model, is the result of the partnership between Manitou Group and Kiloutou, which began in early 2023.

From left: Adrien Dufloer, Head of technical studies, Kiloutou; François Renault, Director of Equipment & Sustainable Development, Kiloutou; Michel Denis, President & CEO Manitou Group; Hervé Ouisse, Service range & second hand & remanufacturing Manager, Manitou Group.

Manitou Group’s R&D and Services & Solutions teams has been working on the technical feasibility of the project over the last year, and came up with an electrification kit in line with the specifications shared by Kiloutou. Manitou said all safety criteria had now been met, and performance is equivalent to the internal combustion version, while providing a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with a internal combustion machine.

Once fitted with its electrification kit, the converted equipment will be integrated into Kiloutou’s IMPAKT range, dedicated to alternative, more environmentally friendly powertrains and available at the rental company’s branches in France.

The two companies are now in the process of concluding a usage partnership with a major construction company, starting in September 2024. Over a period of one year, it will enable the equipment to be tested on various worksites and indicators such as range, charging methods and customer feedback to be analyzed in real-life conditions.

Michel Denis, CEO of the Manitou Group, said, “We are proud to present this first ‘retrofit’ telehandler. I would like to thank all the teams involved in this virtuous project. This close collaboration with rental customers like Kiloutou shows just how important it is to join forces to make quicker progress on sustainable solutions for the users of our machines. This development is fully in line with the objectives of our CSR roadmap, which aims to make the circular economy a priority.”

François Renault, Director of Equipment & Sustainable Development, Kiloutou Group, said that at a time when electric equiment is set to become the norm, gradually replacing fossil fuel-based products, retrofitting as an alternative to mass replacement.

“It is perfectly aligned with a comprehensive fleet upgrade program, without the need to buy everything back. This project with Manitou Group pushes back the limits of the possible in terms of the circular economy and decarbonization. I’m delighted with this project, which enables our respective teams to share their know-how, and I’m particularly proud to see the expertise of Kiloutou’s Test Center and Purchasing Department at work.”