The new ANSI standard was released in June, resulting in a surge in the number of double booms, while emission regulations and stricter environmental controls in urban centers have led to the expansion of hybrid and electric equipment.
JLG demonstrated its EC EC boom lift for the first time in Bauma last year. The EC450 and EC520 models are now in production and are expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2020. The medium-sized boom equipment is equipped with a lithium battery, which can work all day without charging. They are standard equipment for non-marking tires.
Laurent Montenay, general manager of JLG Deutschland, said that demand for electric products will only increase. "Leasing companies and our customers require new solutions and alternatives to conventional diesel in urban areas, and we are working hard to meet these needs."
He believes that choosing electric instead of hybrid is a foregone conclusion. "With the popularity of lithium batteries, hybrid vehicles are no longer needed. The performance is the same as conventional diesel."
French manufacturer Haulotte launched its pioneering rugged terrain electric articulated arm, the Pulseo Generation, in 2018. The HA20 LE Pro with a working height of 20.76m has a 72V battery pack and is equipped with a 18.5kW diesel Kubota range extender engine.
Haulotte believes that another alternative to lithium batteries and traditional lead-acid batteries is the emergence of fuel cells. "These are not batteries, but devices that can generate energy from hydrogen in storage tanks and oxygen in the surrounding air. Fuel cells have good overall performance."
Manitou has selected lead-acid for its new 200 ATJ E off-road boom aerial work platform, which was released as a prototype on Bauma last year and officially launched in the first quarter of this year.
MEWP product manager Fanny Sourisseau said: “We want to make a reliable, robust machine with unparalleled off-road performance. Our 200 ATJ E enables us to work at a height of 20m, with a 230kg load and two operators. "
Sourisseau said: "Lithium-ion batteries seem to be a big trend today." Indeed, they have many advantages, including extremely fast charging times. However, today, lead batteries are cheaper and a well-known technology, especially in terms of recyclability.
Snorkel has accelerated the introduction of electric lithium-powered lifts. In April 2019, the company launched the SL26RTE and SL30RTE Speed Level lifts powered by lithium-ion batteries, which began full-scale production at its UK plant in October last year.
Since 2016, Dingli has launched 14 boom aerial work platforms with a working height of 24.3 to 30.3m. Seven of these devices are driven by internal combustion engines and seven are electric. The basket capacity of these models can reach 454kg. Dingli is the world's only mass production manufacturer of electric self-propelled booms with a weight of 454kg and a working height of over 22m.
The electric and diesel engine drive series are developed on the same platform, in which 95% of the structural parts and 90% of the parts are universal, thus reducing maintenance, parts storage and labor costs.
Zach Gilmor, Genie product manager of Terex AWP, said that in the long run, with the continuous development of battery technology and on-site charging infrastructure, more power will be developed towards complete electrification. "During this transition period, Genie chose to provide our customers with hybrid and fully electric power."
Xingbang Intelligent has released electric articulated boom aerial work platforms with working heights of 14m and 16m, and now there are 18m electric and hybrid power equipment.
The new ANSI A92 standard implemented in June this year has brought a new era of dual-capacity prosperity in the aerial work platform industry.
