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.