GREENVILLE, N.C (July 22, 2025) – Yale Lift Truck Technologies announces two prestigious industry awards for the ERP-VTL/VFL series of lift trucks with factory-integrated lithium-ion battery power. The trucks won recognition for outstanding green product design in the 2025 Green GOOD DESIGN@reg; Awards and as an outstanding example of innovation that provides companies with energy and environmental benefits in the 2025 E+E Leader Awards.
Rather than a battery box replacement, in which a standard counterbalanced lift truck design gets a lithium-ion retrofit, both the three-wheel ERP040VTL and the four-wheel ERP040VFL are engineered from the ground up around a fully integrated lithium-ion battery pack. This strategy not only provides the lasting performance and charging capabilities of lithium-ion power, it also enables a series of ergonomic advantages, including increased space in the operator compartment.
“Manufacturing lift trucks around a fully integrated lithium-ion battery helps alleviate headaches for warehouses that might otherwise pursue an aftermarket retrofit to accommodate lithium-ion power,” says Brad Long, Global Activation Manager, Yale Lift Truck Technologies. “Beyond the performance benefits of electric forklifts, the ERP-VTL/VFL series also helps warehouses address labor challenges with key advantages for operator comfort. These recognitions are further proof that an innovative design approach can provide what these operations need to directly address these key challenges head-on.”
The integrated lithium-ion power of the ERP-VTL/VFL lift trucks offers fast charging, zero tailpipe emissions and no off-gassing in battery charging or maintenance processes, along with lower energy costs compared to fossil fuels and lead-acid batteries. The trucks’ key ergonomic benefits include an open space design that increases the operator’s freedom to position their feet and facilitates easy entry and exit from the operator cabin. Stability is also improved with a repositioned center of gravity that enhances drive quality and improves truck handling in corners. These features can help to increase operator confidence and performance.
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About the Green GOOD DESIGN Award
GOOD DESIGN® is the oldest, most recognized program for design excellence. Every year, the Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies collaborate to present the Green GOOD DESIGN Sustainability Awards. The program honors outstanding companies that have forwarded exceptional thinking and inspired greater progress toward a healthier and more sustainable universe.
About the E+E Leader Awards
The E+E Leader Awards recognize companies with groundbreaking products, impactful solutions and outstanding projects in sustainability, environment, energy and social responsibility. The awards celebrate products and projects in a variety of categories, including business and consumer products, software, energy innovation, and environmental impact.
About Yale Lift Truck Technologies
Yale Lift Truck Technologies leverages over a century of material handling experience and substantial investment in innovation to bring the most advanced technology-driven lift truck solutions to market. The company offers a full line of award-winning lift trucks, including reach trucks, order pickers, turret trucks, pallet jacks and trucks, pallet stackers, tow tractors and counterbalanced forklifts, as well as powerful operator assist solutions, proven robotics and a wide range of power sources to help customers adapt to today’s demanding supply chain. Yale and its independent dealer network support these solutions with comprehensive after-sales service, parts, financing and training.
Yale Lift Truck Technologies is a division of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Inc. (NYSE:HY) which is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and operates globally.
are trademarks of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.Company Contact:
Brad Long
Yale Lift Truck Technologies
252-412-3652
brad.long@hyster-yale.com
Media Contact:
Dan Gauss
Koroberi
336-409-5391
dan@koroberi.com
