Toyota Material Handling USA may have just introduced to the U.S. market its first three-wheel AC-powered lift truck, but the company already knows how the truck will perform.

At a special press event at the company's plant in Columbus, Ind., results of a third-party test of the new truck against others were announced by Brett Wood, national product planning and marketing services manager. Compared to other three-wheelers, the new 7FBEU performs 9.5% more work cycles an hour and is 24% more energy efficient than the industry average. The truck's "productivity and efficiency gains could result in annual dollar savings per truck exceeding $3,000," says Wood. The tests were conducted by the United States Auto Club and battery fast-charger supplier AeroVironment.

Central to the new lift truck's performance is its AC MOSFET transistor technology that replaces larger and less energy efficient DC motors. A network of AC-powered subsystems on the truck both conserves and regenerates power to maximize performance.

But the new truck is not only about power, explains Wood. A patented Active Mast Control automatically levels forks and controls the forward tilt angle and rear tilt speed of the mast while preventing unintentional floor lowering.

"A comfortable operator is a more productive operator," continues Wood explaining the truck's ergonomic cab features. Foot space and headroom in the truck have been extended. Step height has been reduced. Optional mini-lever fingertip controls simplify operation.

This truck "puts performance that rivals traditional internal combustion engines in the hands" of end users, says Wood.