Linde lauches hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklift

The forklift and warehouse trucks manufacturer said its customers were looking for economical energy solutions with the CO₂ footprint playing a decisive role in this context.

For two decades now, Linde Material Handling has been working on the development of series-production industrial trucks with fuel cells.

“In 1997, we were ahead of the game, focusing intensively on this promising technology, and production of the first trucks started in 2010,” said Markus Weinberger, International Product Manager Energy Solutions.

“Today, we offer the largest range of fuel cell-powered industrial trucks on the market. Around 80% of our models can be ordered with this promising energy option. These include pallet trucks, tow tractors and reach trucks as well as counterbalanced trucks including the Roadster model.”

Energy production is through a chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen. The electricity generated in this way feeds a lithium-ion battery, which in turn supplies the traction and lift motors; at the same time, the accumulator serves as an intermediate storage for recovered braking energy and as a “power reserve” for peak periods of demand. The only by-products during the process are heat and pure water. The latter is pumped off during hydrogen refueling.

“Our customers are looking for economical energy solutions and more and more often the CO2 footprint is playing a decisive role in this context,” Weinberger explained.

“Our sales consultants can offer them a wide range of possible energy solutions, from electric drives with lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries to fuel cell powered vehicles or combustion engine drives using diesel, LPG or natural gas. The best solution always depends on the local conditions.”