Jungheinrich has launched the ETV 216i reach truck equipped with the new "Soop-X" energy recovery system. In high-bay warehouses, reach trucks operate almost continuously, and battery charging downtime is a critical bottleneck. Traditional forklifts only recover energy during braking. The Soop-X system expands this by capturing energy from three distinct sources.
First, it recovers energy from the "Lift Lowering" cycle. When the telescopic mast is lowered, the hydraulic oil from the lift cylinder is pushed through a hydraulic motor connected to a generator. Second, it recovers energy from the "Steering Stop." In tight aisles, the operator frequently turns the steering wheel rapidly from full left to full right. This rapid movement generates hydraulic spikes. The Soop-X system uses a pulse-dampening accumulator that captures these spikes and feeds them back to the battery.
Third, and most innovative, is the "Thermal Balancing" recovery. The system uses the waste heat from the drive motor and the hydraulic pump to warm the battery during cold store operations. Lithium-ion batteries charge less efficiently when cold. By routing the motor cooling fluid through a heat exchanger wrapped around the battery pack, the system maintains the battery at an optimal 25°C, reducing internal resistance and maximizing the efficiency of the regenerative charging. Field tests in frozen food distribution centers have shown that the Soop-X system allows the truck to run a full 16-hour double shift without needing a battery change, increasing fleet availability.
