As operator comfort and confidence in electric GSE has grown, officials at Charlatte saw an opportunity to serve the cargo handling industry. As a result, Charlatte recently designed and rolled out it 6,000-DBP electric cargo tractor, known as the CT6E.

Company officials note the goal of this project is to provide the industry with an alternative to internal combustion vehicles when hauling heavy cargo long distances.

The CT6E can tow heavier loads throughout the day because the frequency of charge-time is reduced, which allows the vehicle to operate for a period of almost 50 percent longer because of the large 840Ah lithium battery, according to Charlatte officials.

“The vehicle is just being introduced to the North American market,” says Rob Lamb, vice president – vehicle and aftermarket sales at Charlatte, noting it debuted at the International GSE Expo in Las Vegas.  “However, being patient and doing an abundance of testing as well as receiving customer input along the way in the design process makes us more than optimistic for its success.

Charlatte officials have utilized common parts, including axles, motors and several of the main electronic components as its T135, T137 and CT5E models, making training and vehicle operations easier for existing customers.

According to Lamb, there has been a need for this type of cargo tractor for some time.  He says more ground handlers servicing passenger airlines have become comfortable with electric GSE, having seen improved performance, cost-savings and safety benefits. So, developing an eGSE solution for the cargo sector is a logical step.

“Providing a solution to the cargo industry furthers the reduction of emissions, is more operator friendly and saves money by improving performance,” Lamb says.

“Companies are tired of using LPG tractors, forklifts and smaller electric-style mules inside their cargo facilities,” he continues. “Now they can maximize their efficiencies and give the operator a more comfortable and safer vehicle to operate, like the workforce in the bag rooms of passenger airlines have been doing for years with our other electric models.”

Although some companies postponed new vehicle projects during the pandemic, Charlatte used that time to focus on the future. Charlatte’s engineering teams in the U.S. and in Europe spent months developing the CT6E and worked closely with Green Cubes Technology to finalize specific details.

For example, Lamb says selecting the shape, size and weight of the battery compartment, as well as the compartment itself, for such a large lithium battery while keeping the footprint of the tractor constant was challenging.

“There are several factors in selecting a battery to not only operate at its highest performance in conjunction with the electronic controller, but also to provide proper / adequate ballast for the cargo tractor to operate at its maximum capacity,” he adds.

Having overcome these challenges, Charlatte officials are encouraging the industry to trial the vehicle to realize its ability to make long cargo runs with heavy loads. If tests are successful, Lamb says the company will consider building a family of rear-cab design cargo tractors in a higher towing range to complement the CT6E.