ISO 23308-1:2020

Overview - ISO 23308-1:2020 (Energy efficiency of industrial trucks - Test methods - Part 1: General)

ISO 23308-1:2020 defines general test criteria and measurement requirements to determine the energy consumption of self‑propelled industrial trucks during operation. The standard covers electric, internal combustion (IC) and hybrid trucks and explicitly includes battery efficiency and battery charger efficiency for electric trucks. ISO 23308-1 is the general part of a series; truck‑type specific procedures (ISO 23308‑2 and ISO 23308‑3) take precedence where applicable. Test cycles are based on the widely used VDI 2198 guideline to enable comparable energy‑efficiency evaluations.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Scope of trucks covered: counterbalance and articulated lift trucks, reach trucks, straddle and pallet‑stacking trucks, pallet trucks, order‑picking and centre‑controlled trucks, towing/stacking tractors, container handlers, lateral‑stacking and multi‑directional lift trucks, among others (per ISO 5053‑1 classification).
• Test conditions: flat, smooth test area (concrete/asphalt) with maximum 2% slope; specific test tracks referenced in the relevant ISO 23308 parts.
• Test load and towing: default test load = 70% of rated load (or 70% of rated drawbar pull for tractors; 70% payload for burden‑carriers).
• Truck preparation: representative production sample, run‑in time up to 100 h permissible, new tyres (≤10% tread wear), correct tyre pressures, fuel tanks filled for IC trucks.
• Measurement procedure: defined operating sequences for electric, IC and hybrid trucks; separate measurement and calculation of truck energy consumption, battery efficiency (including Annex A synthetic discharge cycle and Annex B simplified method for lead‑acid batteries) and charger efficiency.
• Reporting and declarations: standardized test report and declaration formats; Annex C provides guidance on calculating carbon dioxide equivalent (CDE).

Practical applications and users

• Truck manufacturers - benchmark product energy performance, design improvements, and verify declared energy consumption.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies - perform standardized energy measurements and produce comparable reports.
• Fleet managers and machine users - compare energy consumption across models to optimize fleet efficiency and operating costs.
• Market surveillance authorities and consultants - verify compliance and support procurement decisions that prioritize energy efficiency and lower CO2 equivalent emissions.

Related standards and references

• ISO 23308 series (all parts), ISO 23308‑2 / ISO 23308‑3 (truck‑specific cycles)
• ISO 5053‑1 (truck types)
• ISO 3691‑1 / ISO 3691‑2 (safety requirements)
• IEC 60254‑1, IEC 62620 (battery standards), VDI 2198 (test cycle basis)

Keywords: ISO 23308-1, energy efficiency, industrial trucks, test methods, battery efficiency, charger efficiency, electric trucks, internal combustion trucks, hybrid trucks, test conditions, measurement procedure.