For the first time, a full-electric telehandler has operated in an international competition, proving to be the ideal solution for ensuring safety due to its performance, small size and excellent handling
A new episode of "Partners for Life" - the project that gives voice to Merlo's customers and partners: 11 Merlo Full Electric telescopic handlers of the e-WORKER series were used to handle the track safety activities of the Formula E World Championship race held over the weekend of 16 July in Rome. With them also 300 Marshals, the track safety managers who report accidents and anomalies along the racetrack.
The world championship for electric single-seaters landed on the EUR street circuit - a technically fast track characterised by long straights and a number of overtaking opportunities - for the fifth time in the history of the series and is the ultimate expression of technology in the field of electric mobility.
"We decided to use Merlo vehicles because, especially in this case, there are tight spaces, and therefore using compact vehicles would have made life easier for us - states Gianfranco Bonifacio, Deputy CoC -. So the use of a high-performance vehicle such as the Merlo, and specifically the particularly small and agile e-WORKERS, has given us the trump card to provide an excellent service. The batteries were a pleasant surprise, because the consumption is really negligible. Even during handling, the vehicle does not have excessive consumption, in fact it is very thrifty. The e-WORKER really left us speechless, because it is very, very convenient".
"Merlo was chosen as a partner because it is the industry leader in terms of technology and because it is the only one to offer an electric vehicle of this size and performance - stresses Mattia Bodino, Merlo Communications manager -. Compact, safe, agile and reliable vehicles are essential for track safety work as they have to operate in extreme conditions and there is no margin for error".
"I would like to thank all the people at Merlo - emphasises Francesco Cassioli, Event control Room Delegate -, because there was a fantastic synergy, a speed of response to requests and needs, bringing in efficient means and trained staff. It was a wonderful collaboration and of course we are absolutely confident that this collaboration will continue in our daily activities at the Vallelunga circuit".
During the race, six cars collided on the fastest straight of the circuit, fortunately without serious consequences for people. It was probably the most spectacular and dangerous accident in the entire history of Formula E. Thanks to the intervention of the Marshals and the e-WORKERS, the cars were removed very quickly, allowing the Grand Prix to restart.
