KOMATSU
AE50 Hybrid Electric Lift Truck Receives Minister’s Award for Energy-Saving Machinery
By Keiichiro Matsuoka, Komatsu Utility Co., Ltd.

FB15HB-12: AE50 Hybrid Electric Lift Truck





Komatsu Utility has launched a new hybrid model (FB25HB-11) of the BE30 hybrid electric series in Japan in April 2008. The new model increases energy savings to 30% compared with the company’s conventional electric model of the same class.

Mr. Kazunori Kuromoto (left), executive officer and president of AHS Business Division of Komatsu Ltd. (then general manager of Construction Equipment Electronics Development Division), and Mr. Yoshiki Yamamoto (right), president of Forklift Company of Komatsu Utility Co., Ltd., receive the award of merit from Mr. Tetsuhiro Hosono, director-general of the Manufacturing Industries Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), at the award ceremony on February 4, 2008.
The AE50 hybrid electric lift truck, developed jointly by Komatsu Utility Co., Ltd. and Komatsu Ltd., received Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, the top honor of the Superior Energy-Saving Machinery Awards for fiscal 2007, sponsored by The Japan Machinery Federation (JMF).

Komatsu Utility’s world-first hybrid electric lift truck achieves not only outstanding energy savings of 20% (maximum) compared with its conventional electric model of the same class but also superb performance and functionality thanks to its high-speed inverter charger and sealed battery.

For its originality and economy, the AE50 hybrid electric model received high evaluation scores and was unanimously chosen by the judges for the Minister’s Award. This prestigious recognition follows the Nikkei Superior Products and Services Award for fiscal 2007 sponsored by Nikkei Inc.

Komatsu Utility has been placing more efforts on hybrid electric lift trucks and has launched a new larger BE30 series in Japan in April 2008. The company is also changing its specifications to global applications and strengthening its service capabilities abroad. Hybrid electric models will be exhibited and demonstrated at selected international trade fairs.