IFOY Innovation Check: ECB50C, BYD Category: Counter Balanced Truck MARKET RELEVANCE The BYD ECB50C is electrically driven and designed for a load class of 5 t. Other manufacturers are also expanding their range of products for ever-increasing load capacities to provide a better alternative for trucks with internal combustion engines. Up to now, this trend has applied to lead-acid batteries. BYD is now presenting its new forklift truck, which also eliminates the need to change batteries in this performance class. The market segment for counter balanced forklifts is the second largest after the pedestrian-controlled pallet trucks. The segment of forklifts with a load capacity of 5 t is smaller than that of forklifts with a load mass of up to 2 t, but is nonetheless of great relevance. A forklift truck with a lithium-ion battery is very interesting due to the transition to electric drives. CUSTOMER BENEFIT Compared to lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries have many advantages that provide customers with greater flexibility. A lack of a "memory effect" in combination with fast-charge capability allows operators to charge the forklift trucks during breaks in operation without causing the battery to show strong wear and tear. This saves additional batteries in the battery pool and reduces the space required for the charging station, especially in shift operation. At the same time, the battery can be discharged more strongly and charged more efficiently. In addition, the energy generated during braking is better absorbed by the battery. As a result, customers can expect lower energy consumption and thus lower operating costs. Vehicles with an internal combustion engine are often used in the described performance class. A transition to an electrically powered vehicle can result in a better environmental image for customers and higher air quality at the plant. NOVELTY / DEGREE OF INNOVATION In recent years, the use of lithium-ion batteries in forklift trucks has increased dramatically. Many manufacturers offer the lithium-ion battery as an option, especially for light trucks in the load class up to 3 t. Two years ago BYD won the IFOY Award in the category of innovation in this field. In the meantime, lithiumion batteries with an iron phosphate cathode are also available from other manufacturers. In the load class of 5 t, an electric drive with a lithium-ion battery is an innovation. It is true that trucks with larger batteries are also offered in this segment, but higher efficiency and better utilization of the battery can be expected to result in longer running times with the technology offered by BYD. Together with a very fast charger (power: 24 kw, which is more like a charger from the automotive industry) this is an innovation. Synchronous steering and joystick control is state of the art in the higher price segments. In the case of the electrichydraulic brake, no outstanding innovations were found either. FUNCTIONALITY / TYPE OF IMPLEMENTATION BYD ECB50C is a new development that makes the advantages of lithium-ion technology available to the end user in higher load classes and provides further advantages in terms of safety and environmental compatibility. Market relevance + Customer benefit ++ Novelty / degree of innovation Ø Functionality / type of implementation + ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / - less / -- not available
IFOY Test Report: ECB50C, BYD Category: Counter Balanced Truck According to BYD, the ECB50 is an important contribution to climate improvement. The 5-ton electric forklift truck offers a clean alternative to applications where the until recently internal combustion engine, especially diesel forklift trucks, were the only option. In addition to a high lifting force, if continuous operation is required, diesel forklifts are often put in practice. If the customer wishes to have a zero-emission lift truck, he can opt for an electric forklift truck, but a replacement battery is required for continuous operation. Equipped with a lithium-ion battery, the ECB50 makes it easier to reload the truck and eliminates the need for an expensive exchange battery. The largest battery on the market available for this truck has a capacity of 810 Ah. This means that after the test measurements, the battery is suitable for average operation (with a single charge) of 6.5 hours in the most productive H mode. In the more economical L mode, an operating time of up to nine hours is possible. The performance of the BYD ECB50 is average in almost every respect in this heavier truck class. A big advantage is the fast charging time of the lithium-iron-phosphate battery. The battery can be fully charged in just 2.5 hours with the appropriate 300-amp charger. This means that multi-shift operation is also possible without intermediate loading. In addition to the 810 Ah charger, BYD also supplies the new power pack with a 540 Ah battery. For both batteries, the manufacturer specifies a service life of eight years or 10,000 hours, whereby a minimum capacity of 65 percent is guaranteed at the end of this period. In addition to the 300A charger, a 200A charger is also available. The Chinese manufacturer claims to offer an effective solution at the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) on the market. According to the manufacturer, the savings compared to a 16-hour leasing contract for five years amounts to 38,000 euros. With the purchase (and a term of ten years) the saving amounts to even more than 75,000. Providing a green and affordable alternative to the traditional combustion market was clearly more important than developing a modern design. The shape of the ECB50 is classic and angular, but has the necessary safety features and offers the driver sufficient comfort. Apart from the bright colour display and the electrohydraulic parking brake, the test truck is very simple. However, numerous options are available, such as hill assist, dual pedals, joystick control of mast functions and steering synchronization. What's more, the impressive looking truck is surprisingly smooth and easy to operate. The stability is convincing and the materials used are resistant under harsh conditions. The welds are still clearly visible, yet this is often the case with a handmade pre-series model. IFOY test verdict: The BYD ECB50 has been developed in line with the market and is based on almost all average values of this class. The truck feels and works remarkably stable and its performance is a realistic alternative to combustion engine trucks. Only the finish deserves more attention. As with the smaller models from the Chinese manufacturer, the lithium-iron phosphate battery and the corresponding quick charger are the main strengths. The calculated savings can be realized, as well as the maintenance of the battery and the truck can be reduced to a minimum.
IFOY Test Report Counter Balanced Trucks 1 to 10 Remarks / Comments 1 = poor / 10 = best Name Tester Date Test 02.02.2018 Truck Name BYD Truck Type ECB50 Masttype Duplex no side shift Jury Member General First Impression 7 Design 6 Expected Quality 7 Durability, sustainability, total value Innovation level 7 Is it innovative? Expected output 8 Everage First impression 7,00 Load Diagram Easy to find / to see 8 Easy to understand 6 What is the max. load to handle to what height? Everage load safety 7,00 Entry to truck Step size 9 Step height 6 Step safety 9 Handle left hand 8 Grip, Size, useful Grip or hold for right hand 6 Legg space when entering 8 Shoulder space when entering 8 Everage Entry to truck 7,71 Seat & Sit position Seat General 8 Seat adjustment 8 Is it exact or a guess, easy to apply? Storage space for items general 6 Everage seat 7,33 Legg space Legg space 9 Can you move freely? Easy swab accelerator to brake 8 Can you swap easily from acceleration pedal to brake pedal? Foot tilt angle while drving 8 Is your legg in stress position while driving? Sharp edges / obstructions 7 No sharp edges is good Average legg space 8,00 Activate truck Contact easy to find 8 Information system for driver 9 Does the truck tells you it's status clearly? Everage activation truck 8,50 Hydraulics Easy to reach 9 Can you grab the handles with minimal arm movements? Easy to understand 9 Responsiveness 8 Do they react direct or with a delay? Accuracy 8 Can you work precise? Swing on mast 7 No swing is good Torsion on mast 7 No torsion is good Auto accelerate 8 Does lift speed depends on acceleration pedal Predictability mast/fork 8 Everage Hydraulics 8,00 Steering Position of steering wheel 7 Easy to reach with left hand, always in same position driving straight Adjustable height and or tilt 7 Responsiveness 7 Is the steering secure of nervous? Accuracy 7 Touch & feel 7 Info about steering angle 5 yes = 7 no = 5 Predictability 7 Average Steering 6,71 Sight In General forwards 8
Beside of mast 8 Driving backwards 8 Through overhead guard 7 Average Sight 7,75 Driving Selection driving direction 8 Easy to apply, no need to move hands etc. Acceleration pedal position 8 Easy to reach? Acceleration pedal Tilt 8 Easy to operate? Acceleration pedal predictability 8 Acceleration power 9 Does the truck wants to go to work or is there a delay? Average acceleration 8,20 Decelleration predictability 8 When releasing the acceleration pedal Braking predictability 7 Parking brake activation/release 8 Average braking 7,67 Driving straight forward 8 Driving backwards 8 Steering predictability 8 Average driving & turning 8,00 Parking truck Auto apply parking brake 5 no = 5, yes = 8 Check truck status 8 Shutt off contact 7 Apply emergency stop 8 Loosen seat belt 6 Sight to step off 8 Can you see the step off from the seat? Safety while stepping off 8 Chance to slip, sharp edges Average parking & step off 7,14 Safety elements Curve control 7 Quality of parking brake 9 Start control 8 Lift/lower control 6 Tilt control 7 Driving backwards signal 8 Overload control 7 Parking control 8 Average safety elements 7,50 General after test General handling truck 7 Stability truck 9 Predictability truck 6 Overall ergonomics while working 7 Look &Feel 7 Safety feeling during working 7 Productivity 7 Would you choose for daily job 7 Average general after test 7,13 Sustainability Production 8 Working life 8 Recycling 8 Average Sustainability 8,00
IFOY Test Report Counter Balanced Trucks Truck name BYD Truck Type ECB50 Date of test 02.02.2018 Hard facts Test Truck IFOY Test Average other trucks Value 1 to 10 Productivity Max mode 294 294 Pallets p. 8 hrs 7 Productivity Eco mode 266 278 Pallets p. 8 hrs 6,5 Energy level Max mode 32,2 32 kwh 100 plts 7 Energy level Eco mode 28,4 27,7 kwh 100 plts 7 Driving speed with load 16,4 16,7 km/hr Lifting speed with load 28,4 37,6 cm/sec Sprint speed 8,1 9,1 time for 27,2 meters Averages soft facts First impression 7,00 Load Safety 7,00 Entry to truck 7,71 Seat & Sit position 7,33 Legg Space 8,00 Activate truck 8,50 Hydraulics 8,00 Steering 6,71 Sight 7,75 Driving acceleration 8,20 Driving braking 7,67 Driving & Turning 8,00 Parking truck 7,14 Safety elements 7,50 General after test 7,13 Sustainability 8,00 Jury Member Average based on 5 year history Total average soft facts 7,60 Total productivity 6,75 Total Energy consumption 7,00 Total result all facts