Wiggins announces the first Zero-Emissions large-capacity Forklift: the eBull

Posted on Sep 25, 2018 in Products

Wiggins Lift Co. is excited to unveil the first commercially available zero emission large capacity forklift. With capacities ranging from 30,000 to 70,000 lbs, the Wiggins Yard eBull is fully electric and wholly manufactured in the United States. Wiggins Lift is a family-owned forklift manufacturer that has been operating in Southern California since the 1950s. The world leader in marina forklifts, Wiggins will display its first zero-emission industrial unit at the Breakbulk Americas Show in Houston on October 2-4.

Wiggins has partnered with battery supplier Thor Trucks, a fellow Southern California company, recently chosen by UPS to provide electric delivery trucks for field tests by the logistics giant. Thor provides batteries and electrification system integration, enabling Wiggins to reduce R&D effort and development time. “We’ve been innovators in the material handling field for over 50 years, so producing the first commercially available large capacity zero emission forklift in the industry was a logical next step for us,” says Micah McDowell, Wiggins’ Director of Sales.

McDowell points to the company’s previous projects, including the continued evolution of the industry-leading Marina Bull LoPRO, the crab-steering Marina FLX, the Nuclear Waste Handler, and Operating in Heavy Seas: the Wiggins LCS Forklift as evidence for Wiggins’ ability to innovate and build new vehicles from the ground up.

Wiggins is using high voltage lithium-ion batteries, which are more resilient and longer lasting than the lead-acid batteries typically used on smaller warehouse forklifts.

With an estimated 6-month lead time, Wiggins will begin taking orders at the Breakbulk Show. Due to the higher costs associated with battery electric power, Wiggins has been working with state authorities on available grants designed to ease the financial burden of customers who purchase the electric forklifts. Many states have put such programs in place to incentivize operators to adopt zero emission material handling solutions. Many predict that advances in battery technology will significantly reduce costs of batteries within the next few years. Wiggins is also working on designs for a forklift that runs on hydrogen fuel cells, the technology, and infrastructure for which it estimates will be available in the next few years. Wiggins will build all of its battery-electric Yard eBulls with the capability the convert to hydrogen power in the field when that technology is available. For now, Wiggins will offer its entire product catalog in electric, including marina and industrial forklifts, tire handlers for mining, and other all-purpose and agricultural equipment.

Wiggins Lift invites you to see this technology for yourself at the Breakbulk Americas Show in Houston on October 2-4 at Booth 1349. With the first Wiggins Yard eBull on display, Wiggins will show you the advantages of zero-emission material handling and answer any questions you may have. Wiggins looks forward to seeing you there!