ADVANCED LIFT-TRUCK TECHNOLOGY HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
electric
LIFTTRUCKS ARE ALMOST THE ORIGINAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE, WITH
MANY MODELS POWERED FOR DECADES BY LEADACID BATTERIES. BUT
NOW, EVEN WITH THE NEW BENEFITS OFFERED BY LITHIUMION, THERE
IS A FRESH CHALLENGER TO BATTERY ELECTRIC DOMINANCE
INCREASINGLY AFFORDABLE HYDROGEN FUELCELL SOLUTIONS
More and more organisations are seeing for
themselves the considerable bene ts of
integrating fuel cell technology into their li -truck
eets. is is due to lower operational costs,
reduced emissions and improved reliability. Such
advantages have contributed to fuel cell popularity
and availability.
“Powering li -trucks with hydrogen fuel cells
(HFC) is a more attainable option than ever,” says
Kevin Paramore, emerging technology
commercialisation manager, Yale Materials
Handling Corporation. is has been due to fast
refuelling, reduced burden on operators to
charging and maintenance, and a variety of
hydrogen supply options.
A steady, cost-e ective supply of hydrogen is
critical to the success of any hydrogen-powered
operation, and is an important consideration in
the implementation of hydrogen fuel cell-powered
li trucks. “In today’s market, hydrogen can either
be delivered or generated on-site,” says Paramore.
“Options for delivery range from gaseous
hydrogen shipped via tube trailers for lowervolume
usage to liquid state hydrogen for highervolume
applications.
“Operations contemplating hydrogen can work
with suppliers to evaluate whether fuel cell
technology makes sense for their facility, including
conducting demos, pilots and trial programmes.
is allows the selection of a best- t hydrogen fuel
supply option, each with variable infrastructure,
permitting and installation requirements, which
can di er greatly based on eet size, method of
hydrogen delivery and anticipated demand.”
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iVTInternational.com June 2020
/iVTInternational.com