First Manitou/Kiloutou electric retrofit telehandler on site

Manitou and Kiloutou Group is putting the first electric retrofitted telehandler into operation following their partnership with Bouygues Construction Matériel.

An initial trial is underway on Europe’s largest hospital construction site in Nantes, with participation from Equans France, another subsidiary of the Bouygues group.

From: Michel Denis, Manitou Group President & CEO; Olivier Colleau, Kiloutou Group President; Adrien Vacherand, Outdoor Rentals Manager France, Bouygues Construction Matériel; and David Deslots, Project Director Equans France. (Image: Manitou).

This marks the first time a combustion-engine telehandler converted to electric power, is being used on a real-world construction site, said material handling specialist Manitou. “This presents a unique opportunity for the three groups to test the viability of this sustainable and circular solution.” 

Initiated in early 2023, the partnership between Manitou Group and Kiloutou, Europe’s third largest rental company, is entering its second phase with the testing period, which started at the beginning of March at the Nantes University Hospital (CHU), where construction is underway.

The phase will continue until early May, followed by four more months of testing at two other sites to assess various use cases. It will allow those involved to gather valuable feedback from operators to evaluate the performance of the electrification kit. The criteria being analyzed include safety, battery life, ergonomics, and charging times.

Michel Denis, President & CEO of Manitou Group, said, “This testing phase, focused on user needs and expectations, is very important to validate this electrification kit. Initial feedback from the construction site is very encouraging, with performance largely comparable to a combustion engine, combined with a significant reduction in noise and zero carbon emissions.

We still have a few months of testing to solidify our confidence, but the project is truly promising. We share the same conviction with the Kiloutou Group, and we confidently envision the potential of retrofitting, in line with our commitment to making the circular economy a cornerstone of our CSR strategy.”

Successful trials

Initial results from the tests are very positive, said the group. Used daily by Equans France’s team, the telehandler is unloading deliveries and supplying materials on site.

Thanks to its 100% electric power, it avoids the need for diesel refuelling, thus limiting truck movements, simplifying site access logistics, and significantly reducing pollution risks, said Manitou.

According to the company, feedback gathered from operators reveal satisfaction with the charging method, driving comfort, and sufficient battery life for this type of application, along with performance similar to the combustion engine version.

For example, the equipment can operate for more than three hours without interruption. Charging time is also limited, with 25% of the battery recharged in just one hour (22 kVA).

The electro retrofit telehandler onsite. (Image: Manitou).

The retrofit also achieves an average reduction of 40% in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the manufacturing and use of combustion engine equipment, and a 25% reduction in the total environmental score.

Olivier Colleau, President of the Kiloutou Group, added: “For several years, the Kiloutou Group has been committed to contributing to the acceleration of the environmental transition. This retrofitting project, conducted with our partner Manitou Group, fully aligns with our roadmap to reduce our CO2 emissions, particularly indirect emissions, by approximately 25% by 2030. The full-scale test at the Nantes University Hospital Center site will help advance the project, with a view to potentially considering a wider-scale deployment, if the test results continue to prove conclusive.”

Results sharing

The results of the on-site tests will be shared with CAMD (the Community of Sustainable Equipment Stakeholders), of which Manitou Group and Kiloutou are co-founders, and includes equipment manufacturers, rental companies, and building and public works companies. A summary of the initial trials will also be discussed at the upcoming CAMD Sustainable Equipment Meetings on 27 May.