Explosion protection meets Industry 5.0 forklift intelligence
As European manufacturers expand battery, electric motor and semiconductor capacity, material-handling equipment must operate safely alongside processes involving flammable substances. Linde Material Handling’s updated E14–E20 EX and E16–E20 P EX electric counterbalanced forklifts address that requirement while adding a broader layer of digital assistance.
The three- and four-wheel models are certified for ATEX zones 1/21 and 2/22. Fourteen configurations cover different chassis sizes and capacities up to two tonnes. That range allows operators to match the truck to the physical constraints of a compact production area, the stability demands of uneven floors or the traffic patterns of a recycling operation.
From compliance to active risk reduction
The technology package is designed to intervene before a reversing incident develops. A Reverse Assist Camera uses AI to distinguish people from objects, warns the driver and supports braking according to pedestrian distance. A Reverse Assist Radar takes a wider set of operating conditions into account, including speed, fork load, steering angle and obstacle distance. It can apply graduated braking or stop the truck.
Zone management adds another digital layer. Linde MH Safety Guard can automatically reduce speed inside a defined ATEX area. In zone 2/22, it can generate mutual visual and audible warnings at forklift intersections. Lighting options, including VertiLights, LED strips and red projected warning lines, improve awareness in narrow or confusing workspaces.
Designing for people and process resilience
The EX platform retains the operator ergonomics of the series trucks. Flame-proof electronic housings are integrated without blocking sightlines or reducing legroom. For zone 1/21, specially wound motors with higher insulation classes and sensors embedded in the windings provide continuous temperature monitoring at the heat source while preserving the performance expected from an electric forklift.
That human-centred approach also extends to the cabin. An integrated, certified blower heating system directs air through eight outlets towards the windscreen, interior and footwell, while preheating prepares the cabin before the shift begins. For industrial companies, the practical value lies in combining compliance with more predictable traffic behaviour, clearer warnings and a work environment that supports sustained operator attention.
