JOHOR BARU, Nov 29 — Terberg Tractors Malaysia Sdn Bhd (TTM), a joint venture between Sime Darby Industrial and the Netherlands-based Royal Terberg Group BV, has officially launched Malaysia’s first fully battery-powered electric terminal tractor, YT200EV.
TTM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Boo Wei Ching said YT200EV, which is manufactured locally at TTM’s manufacturing and assembly facility in Pasir Gudang, here, would be made available for distribution by early next month.
“With the new terminal tractors, TTM is looking at doubling up our production capacity in Malaysia from 600 units of terminal tractors to meet the expected demand from our existing customers and new customers in new market segment in the next theree years.
“TTM has invested more than RM10 million to upgrade the current infrastructure which will enable the increased output to cope with anticipated demand,” he said at the launching ceremony here today.
Also present were Sime Darby Bhd group CEO Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson and Royal Terberg Group member of supervisory board George J M Terberg.
The launch of the YT200EV took place at Terberg Manufacturing and Assembly Sdn Bhd (TMA) with the attendance of Malaysia’s Book of Records, recognising TTM as the nation’s first fully-electric terminal tractor manufacturer.
Boo said the YT200EV terminal tractor is designed to be utilised in the shipping and logistics industry, supporting the movement of cargo and containers within container terminals and a useful assistant in distribution centres, warehouses, receiving facilities, intermodal depots and industrial plants for shunting and housekeeping.
“Unlike traditional tractors, our YT200EV terminal tractors come with fewer moving parts due to its nature as an EV, so customers have little to worry about with regards to wear and tear and maintenance costs,” he said.
He said the YT200EV terminal tractor featured 350 kilowatt hour (kWh) Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries that provided continuous operation of up to 10 hours in container port operation and could be fully charged within an hour.
“The vehicle also features a 240 kilowatt (kW) asynchronous water-cooled motor drive, capable of sufficient torque to carry up to 90 tonnes payload, making it more efficient and cost-effective compared with diesel tractors,” he said.
Boo said as one of Asia Pacific’s leading terminal tractor manufacturers, TTM is confident that this new addition to the industry would be a huge step to complement the region’s green aspirations through the incorporation of sustainable practices.
“As an industry leader, we feel that it is our responsibility to actively take part in a solution towards combatting climate change.
He said in addition to reducing carbon emissions, YT200EV terminal tractor would also be able to significantly cut operating costs involving diesel and other fossil fuels used in conventional terminal tractors or trucks.
“We believe these benefits can be shared with more sectors, wider than ports and logistics, creating a larger impact from more environmentally-friendly practices across industries,” he added. — Bernama
