The wheelchair lift system for a vehicle comprises a lift platform 10 raised by a hydraulic actuator 20, a pump 24 supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the actuator 20, a drive 26 for the pump 24 that draws power from a battery 28. Power generated by the flow of hydraulic fluid from the actuator 20 as the platform 10 is lowered recharges the battery 28. The drive 26 may be an electric motor such as a brushless DC motor that generates electric power when the pump 24 is driven. The drive 26 may include an electric generator powered by the flow of fluid from the actuator 20 to supply the battery 28. The electric generator may be a dynamo 54 located in a pump bypass or return line 50 that accommodates fluid flow. The bypass line 50 may include an impeller 56 to drive the electric generator.
