fuel cell forklift
File:Toyota L&F 7FB25 Fuel Cell Forklift at Eco-Products 2015.jpg
A fuel cell forklift (also called a fuel cell lift truck) is a fuel cell powered industrial forklift used to lift and transport materials.
History
- 1960{{snd}}Allis-Chalmers builds the first fuel cell forklift.[http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/about-fuel-cells/history History]
Market
In 2013 there were over 4,000 fuel cell forklifts used in material handling in the United States.{{cite web|url= http://www.themhedajournal.org/2014/10/20/60-world-changing-innovations/ |title=60 World-Changing Innovations|publisher=Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association|date=2014|accessdate=1 March 2017}} As of 2024, approximately 50,000 hydrogen forklifts are in operation worldwide (the bulk of which are in the U.S.), as compared with 1.2 million battery electric forklifts that were purchased in 2021.Barnard, Michael. [https://cleantechnica.com/2024/01/02/on-hydrogen-forklifts-bitcoin-mining-and-green-fertilizer "On Hydrogen Forklifts, Bitcoin Mining and Green Fertilizer"], CleanTechnica, January 2, 2024
Uses
PEM fuel-cell-powered forklifts provide benefits over petroleum-powered forklifts as they produce no local emissions. While LP Gas (propane) forklifts are more popular and often used indoors, they cannot accommodate certain food sector applications. Fuel cell power efficiency (40–50%){{CN|date=July 2014}}Eberle, Ulrich and Rittmar von Helmolt. [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224880220_Sustainable_transportation_based_on_electric_vehicle_concepts_a_brief_overview "Sustainable transportation based on electric vehicle concepts: a brief overview"]. Energy & Environmental Science, Royal Society of Chemistry, 14 May 2010, accessed 2 August 2011{{Cite journal| title = Fuel Cell Vehicles:Status 2007 | journal=Journal of Power Sources | date = 20 March 2007 | doi = 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.12.073 | author = Von Helmolt, R. | volume = 165 | pages = 833–843 | last2 = Eberle | first2 = U| issue = 2| bibcode=2007JPS...165..833V }}Garbak, John. [http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/progress10/viii_0_technology_validation_overview.pdf "VIII.0 Technology Validation Sub-Program Overview"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924032047/http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/progress10/viii_0_technology_validation_overview.pdf |date=2015-09-24 }}. DOE Fuel Cell Technologies Program, FY 2010 Annual Progress Report, accessed 2 August 2011 is about half that of lithium-ion batteries (80–90%),{{CN|date=July 2014}}Valøen, Lars Ole and Shoesmith, Mark I. (2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090326150713/http://www.pluginhighway.ca/PHEV2007/proceedings/PluginHwy_PHEV2007_PaperReviewed_Valoen.pdf The effect of PHEV and HEV duty cycles on battery and battery pack performance] (PDF). 2007 Plug-in Highway Electric Vehicle Conference: Proceedings. Retrieved 11 June 2010. but they have a higher energy density which may allow forklifts to run longer. Fuel-cell-powered forklifts are often used in refrigerated warehouses as their performance is not as affected by temperature as some types of lithium batteries. Most fuel cells used for material handling purposes are powered by PEM fuel cells, although some DMFC forklifts are coming onto the market. In design the FC units are often made as drop-in replacements.{{Cite web |url=http://www.still.co.uk/fuel-cell-technology-uk.0.0.html |title=Fuel cell technology |access-date=2013-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203104905/http://www.still.co.uk/fuel-cell-technology-uk.0.0.html |archive-date=2013-12-03 |url-status=dead }}
Research
- 2013{{snd}}Toyota Industries (Toyota Shokki) showcased a new fuel cell powered forklift, co-developed with Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.{{cite web | url = http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/news-events/news-archive/2013/february/toyota-industries-reveals-new-fuel-cell-forklift | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225106/http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/news-events/news-archive/2013/february/toyota-industries-reveals-new-fuel-cell-forklift | archive-date = 2013-12-02 | title = Toyota Industries reveals new fuel cell forklift | work = FuelCellToday | date = 2013-02-08 }}
- 2015{{snd}}HySA Systems (UWC) showcased a fuel cell powered forklift using a refueling station based on metal hydrides. The customer was Implats, a mining company in South Africa. This was the first project of this type on the African continent.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
Standards
- SAE J 2601/3 - SAE J 2601/3 - Fueling Protocols for Gaseous Hydrogen Powered Industrial Forklifts{{Cite web |url=http://www.fuelcellstandards.com/Misc%20Matrix.pdf |title=Hydrogen fuel cell codes & standandards |access-date=2013-11-24 |archive-date=2020-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611082959/http://www.fuelcellstandards.com/Misc%20Matrix.pdf |url-status=dead }}