Manitou, Kiloutou & Bouygues Partner to Test Electric Retrofit Telehandler
Manitou Group and Kiloutou Group have joined forces with Bouygues Construction Matériel to operate their first retrofitted electric telehandler, marking a major step towards decarbonizing construction sites.
The pilot project is currently underway at Europe’s largest hospital construction site in Nantes, with Equans France, a Bouygues subsidiary, also participating. This is the first time a combustion-engine telehandler converted to electric power is being tested in a real-world construction scenario, offering the partners a valuable opportunity to evaluate the feasibility and impact of this sustainable, circular solution.
Initiated in early 2023, the partnership between Manitou Group and Kiloutou is entering its second phase with an unprecedented testing period, launched since the beginning of March on the construction site of the new hospital of the Nantes University Hospital (CHU) where Equans France is involved in various technical work packages, as part of a broader partnership concluded with Bouygues Construction Matériel. This phase will continue until early May, followed by four more months of testing at two other sites to assess various use cases. This crucial stage will allow the entities to gather valuable feedback from operators in order to evaluate the performance of the electrification kit. The criteria being analyzed include safety, battery life, ergonomics, and charging times.
Michel Denis, President & CEO of Manitou Group, explains: “This testing phase, focused on user needs and expectations, is very important to validate this electrification kit. Initial feedback from the construction site is very encouraging, with performance largely comparable to a combustion engine, combined with a significant reduction in noise and zero carbon emissions. We still have a few months of testing to solidify our confidence, but the project is truly promising! We share the same conviction with the Kiloutou Group, and we confidently envision the potential of retrofitting, in line with our commitment to making the circular economy a cornerstone of our CSR strategy.”
Successful trials
The initial results from the tests conducted at the Nantes University Hospital Center construction site are very positive. Used daily by Equans France teams, the “retrofit” telehandler ensures the unloading of deliveries and the supply of materials on site. Thanks to its 100% electric motorization, it avoids the need for diesel refueling, thus limiting truck movements, simplifying site access logistics, and significantly reducing pollution risks. Feedback gathered from operators expresses satisfaction with the charging method, driving comfort, sufficient battery life for this type of application, and performance similar to the combustion engine version. For example, the equipment can operate for more than 3 hours without interruption. Charging time is also limited, with 25% of the battery recharged in just one hour (22 kVA).
Retrofitting represents a sustainable and circular transition solution, achieving an average reduction of 40% in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the manufacturing and use of combustion engine equipment, and a 25% reduction in the total environmental score*.
Olivier Colleau, President of the Kiloutou Group, states: “For several years, the Kiloutou Group has been committed to contributing to the acceleration of the environmental transition. This retrofitting project, conducted with our partner Manitou Group, fully aligns with our roadmap to reduce our CO2 emissions, particularly indirect emissions, by approximately 25% by 2030. The full-scale test at the Nantes University Hospital Center site will help advance the project, with a view to potentially considering a wider-scale deployment, if the test results continue to prove conclusive.”
Results Intended for the Entire Construction Sector
Within the framework of CAMD — the Community of Sustainable Equipment Stakeholders — of which Manitou Group and Kiloutou are co-founders, the results of these on-site tests will be shared in advance among the members of the association, which includes equipment manufacturers, rental companies, and building and public works companies. A summary of these initial trials will also be discussed at the upcoming Sustainable Equipment Meetings on May 27, 2025.
