Electric forklifts

From highly efficient power-driven traction motors to smart forklift safety features

Overview

Discover Infineon's comprehensive semiconductor solutions for electric forklift applications, including power MOSFETs, gate drivers, magnetic sensors, and microcontrollers, enabling efficient and reliable motor control, navigation, battery charging and safety features with Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor technology for enhanced productivity and functional safety in warehouses and logistics facilities.

Benefits

  • Proven quality and reliability
  • Leading power MOSFET technology
  • Broad portfolio
  • Complete design support ecosystem
  • Advanced microcontrollers
  • Sensors & ToF for FuSa

Block diagram

About

Comprehensive semiconductor motor control solutions for electric forklifts

In the design of a electric forklift, one of the most critical functional blocks is motor control, which is seamlessly addressed by Infineon's comprehensive solutions. We provide a one-stop-shop of semiconductor solutions, covering all aspects of motor control. Our portfolio includes discrete power switches, such as our renowned OptiMOS™ power MOSFETs, and EiceDRIVER™ gate drivers, which ensure efficient and reliable power management.

Additionally, our XENSIV™ magnetic sensors enable accurate position and speed detection, while our MOTIX™ ICs, and XMC™ and PSOC™ microcontrollers offer advanced processing capabilities, allowing for sophisticated control algorithms and system integration. Our microcontrollers are also supported by a range of software tools and libraries, making it easier to develop and implement motor control systems. By leveraging Infineon's broad range of semiconductor solutions, forklift manufacturers can simplify their design process, reduce development time, and create more efficient, reliable, and high-performance motor control systems.

Powering and controlling electric forklift traction motors & actuators with OptiMOS™

Boost efficiency in forklift motor control with Infineon's OptiMOS™ MOSFETs. Our wide product portfolio offers the perfect fit for your application, with low Rds(on), high current handling, and robust package options. OptiMOS™ MOSFETs can switch at higher switching frequencies with reduced power losses and increased reliability. Their resulting compact design also saves system space and weight, making them ideal for warehouse material handling equipment. With a wide range of voltage and current ratings, you can easily find the right device for your specific needs.

Additionally, OptiMOS™ MOSFETs are designed to meet the high standards of the automotive and industrial markets, ensuring a high level of quality and durability. By using OptiMOS™ MOSFETs in your forklift motor control systems, you can enhance performance, reduce energy consumption, and increase overall system efficiency. Click the link below to learn more about the benefits of OptiMOS™ MOSFETs and find the perfect device for your application.

Explore Infineon's OptiMOS™ power MOSFETs
Enhancing forklift safety with Infineon's Time-of-Flight sensor solutions

Infineon Technologies has collaborated with leading partners to develop an innovative Time-of-Flight (ToF)  solutios for smart forklifts, enhancing safety and efficiency in warehouses and logistics facilities. Our ToF solution, featuring Infineon REAL3™ 3D image sensors combined with partner expertise, enables accurate and reliable distance measurement, real time object detection, pedestrian detection and collision avoidance. This cutting-edge technology allows forklifts to detect obstacles, pedestrians, and other vehicles as part of a forklift collision avoidance system, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall workplace safety. With Infineon's ToF solution, smart forklifts can also optimize navigation, improve inventory management, and increase productivity.

By integrating our ToF technology with partner solutions, we provide a comprehensive and robust platform for the development of smart forklifts, setting a new standard for functional safety and efficiency in the logistics industry. Click below to learn more about Infineon's ToF solution for smart forklifts and discover the benefits of partner collaboration.

Implement forklift safety with Infineon ToF sensor
Infineon solutions for electric forklift battery chargers

Electric forklifts and other MHVs are becoming the standard for clean, quiet, efficient operations in warehouses and factories, and forklift battery chargers sit at the heart of this shift. Because electric forklifts run on tightly scheduled cycles where downtime is costly, fleets need flexible charging: overnight AC replenishment, opportunity charging during breaks, and wireless options for automated workflows. 

Infineon supplies the complete stack charger designers rely on high‑voltage, high‑efficiency MOSFETs, intelligent MCUs, and advanced gate drivers including system reference designs, documentation, and tools to speed development. Our solutions deliver high power density, robust safety, secure CC‑CV communication with the BMS over CAN/CANopen, and strong EMI/EMC across proven topologies like totem‑pole PFC and resonant LLC, helping maximize forklift fleet uptime.

  • PSoC Control C3 MCUs: Manage charger power, communicate with the BMS, keep charging safe and secure
  • CoolSiC Gen2 MOSFETs: High‑efficiency switches (400–1200 V) that enable smaller, faster, cooler chargers
  • OptiMOS 6 MOSFETs: Efficient battery‑side switching (60–250 V) for better rectification and pack protection
  • EiceDRIVER gate drivers: Reliable control of high currents for smooth, low‑noise, dependable operation

Comprehensive semiconductor motor control solutions for electric forklifts

In the design of a electric forklift, one of the most critical functional blocks is motor control, which is seamlessly addressed by Infineon's comprehensive solutions. We provide a one-stop-shop of semiconductor solutions, covering all aspects of motor control. Our portfolio includes discrete power switches, such as our renowned OptiMOS™ power MOSFETs, and EiceDRIVER™ gate drivers, which ensure efficient and reliable power management.

Additionally, our XENSIV™ magnetic sensors enable accurate position and speed detection, while our MOTIX™ ICs, and XMC™ and PSOC™ microcontrollers offer advanced processing capabilities, allowing for sophisticated control algorithms and system integration. Our microcontrollers are also supported by a range of software tools and libraries, making it easier to develop and implement motor control systems. By leveraging Infineon's broad range of semiconductor solutions, forklift manufacturers can simplify their design process, reduce development time, and create more efficient, reliable, and high-performance motor control systems.

Powering and controlling electric forklift traction motors & actuators with OptiMOS™

Boost efficiency in forklift motor control with Infineon's OptiMOS™ MOSFETs. Our wide product portfolio offers the perfect fit for your application, with low Rds(on), high current handling, and robust package options. OptiMOS™ MOSFETs can switch at higher switching frequencies with reduced power losses and increased reliability. Their resulting compact design also saves system space and weight, making them ideal for warehouse material handling equipment. With a wide range of voltage and current ratings, you can easily find the right device for your specific needs.

Additionally, OptiMOS™ MOSFETs are designed to meet the high standards of the automotive and industrial markets, ensuring a high level of quality and durability. By using OptiMOS™ MOSFETs in your forklift motor control systems, you can enhance performance, reduce energy consumption, and increase overall system efficiency. Click the link below to learn more about the benefits of OptiMOS™ MOSFETs and find the perfect device for your application.

Explore Infineon's OptiMOS™ power MOSFETs

Enhancing forklift safety with Infineon's Time-of-Flight sensor solutions

Infineon Technologies has collaborated with leading partners to develop an innovative Time-of-Flight (ToF)  solutios for smart forklifts, enhancing safety and efficiency in warehouses and logistics facilities. Our ToF solution, featuring Infineon REAL3™ 3D image sensors combined with partner expertise, enables accurate and reliable distance measurement, real time object detection, pedestrian detection and collision avoidance. This cutting-edge technology allows forklifts to detect obstacles, pedestrians, and other vehicles as part of a forklift collision avoidance system, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall workplace safety. With Infineon's ToF solution, smart forklifts can also optimize navigation, improve inventory management, and increase productivity.

By integrating our ToF technology with partner solutions, we provide a comprehensive and robust platform for the development of smart forklifts, setting a new standard for functional safety and efficiency in the logistics industry. Click below to learn more about Infineon's ToF solution for smart forklifts and discover the benefits of partner collaboration.

Implement forklift safety with Infineon ToF sensor

Infineon solutions for electric forklift battery chargers

Electric forklifts and other MHVs are becoming the standard for clean, quiet, efficient operations in warehouses and factories, and forklift battery chargers sit at the heart of this shift. Because electric forklifts run on tightly scheduled cycles where downtime is costly, fleets need flexible charging: overnight AC replenishment, opportunity charging during breaks, and wireless options for automated workflows. 

Infineon supplies the complete stack charger designers rely on high‑voltage, high‑efficiency MOSFETs, intelligent MCUs, and advanced gate drivers including system reference designs, documentation, and tools to speed development. Our solutions deliver high power density, robust safety, secure CC‑CV communication with the BMS over CAN/CANopen, and strong EMI/EMC across proven topologies like totem‑pole PFC and resonant LLC, helping maximize forklift fleet uptime.

  • PSoC Control C3 MCUs: Manage charger power, communicate with the BMS, keep charging safe and secure
  • CoolSiC Gen2 MOSFETs: High‑efficiency switches (400–1200 V) that enable smaller, faster, cooler chargers
  • OptiMOS 6 MOSFETs: Efficient battery‑side switching (60–250 V) for better rectification and pack protection
  • EiceDRIVER gate drivers: Reliable control of high currents for smooth, low‑noise, dependable operation

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