Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Hydrogen fuel cell forklifts combine the sustainability of an electric forklift with the practicality and short refuelling time of an internal combustion engine.
Hydrogen fuel cell forklifts combine the sustainability of an electric forklift with the practicality and shorter refuelling time of an internal combustion engine forklift. If you wish to switch to this solution, you'll need to make initial changes to your facility to include the right hydrogen infrastructure including hydrogen sourcing.
Fuel cells generate electricity when hydrogen meets oxygen in the electrolysis process, driving the electric motor and generating water as a waste product. Hydrogen made with renewable energy is completely carbon-free. When turning it into electricity, the only emission is distilled water.
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Combines the sustainability of an electric forklift with the practicality of an internal combustion engine forklift.
The fuel cell system on a forklift consists of the fuel cell stack, the 350-bar hydrogen tank, a small lithium-ion battery to temporarily store surplus energy, and a fan. All this is contained in a cast frame the size of a classic lead-acid battery and can be installed relatively easily in a conventional electric forklift.
Inside the fuel cell stack, the hydrogen is mixed with air, where it reacts with the oxygen in the air to produce water. During this chemical reaction, electrical energy is released; this energy is collected and used to drive the electric motors that power the forklift’s propulsion, lift and tilt systems.
Benefits of fuel cell forklifts?
Fuel cell is beneficial for complex, large fleets with multiple shifts where battery exchange is needed. Some benefits:
Energy-grade hydrogen is obtained by separating it from the other elements in the molecules where it occurs (such as water, hydrocarbons, and biomass). The two most common methods for doing this are steam reforming and electrolysis. Of these, electrolysis is considered the cleanest process.
Switching to fuel cell trucks requires an up-front investment in the hydrogen infrastructure for your facility. That investment starts to pay itself back immediately through regular savings in operational costs. How long it takes to fully pay off depends on the nature of your operation – it’s worth analysing this carefully before deciding whether fuel cell is right for you.
In general, a fuel cell solution will make the most business sense for large fleets based at one location. Operations where trucks undergo multi-shift use, or frequent battery changes, will also see a quicker return.