Fusion Fuel and Toyota to promote green H2 forklifts in Spain; plan to combine Hydrogen-as-a-Service with rental and leasing options.
Energy Digital talks about the Toyota & Fusion Fuel partnership.
- Fusion Fuel and Toyota Material Handling España, S.A. (TMHES) have partnered to develop the green hydrogen fuel cell forklift market in Spain.
- The collaboration aims to enhance TMHES’s leadership in the zero emissions forklift truck segment by providing end-to-end solutions of fuel cell forklifts, green hydrogen production, and hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
- The partnership plans to offer fully financed solutions that combine Hydrogen-as-a-Service with TMHES’s operational rental and leasing solutions for their range of forklift products.
The integration of green hydrogen into forklifts is crucial for several reasons, particularly in addressing environmental concerns and operational inefficiencies. Here are key points highlighting the importance of using green hydrogen in forklifts, supported by relevant data.
Environmental Impact
- Carbon Footprint Reduction: Transitioning from battery-powered forklifts to hydrogen fuel cells can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%. This reduction is particularly important as global industries strive to meet stringent emissions targets and combat climate change.
- Sustainability: Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources, making it a truly sustainable option. Unlike electricity from the grid, which may still rely on fossil fuels, green hydrogen can be generated with a lower carbon intensity, further enhancing its environmental benefits.
Operational Efficiency
- Reduced Downtime: Hydrogen fuel cells can be refueled in under five minutes, compared to the lengthy charging times of traditional lead-acid batteries, which can take 13-14 hours. This rapid refueling capability minimizes downtime and maximizes productivity, allowing operations to run continuously without the need for battery swaps.
- Consistent Performance: Hydrogen fuel cells maintain a steady power output throughout their operational cycle, unlike battery-powered forklifts, which can experience performance degradation as the battery discharges. This consistency ensures reliable operation, especially in demanding warehouse environments.
- Space Efficiency: The space required for hydrogen refueling stations is significantly less than that for battery charging stations. A hydrogen dispenser can service up to 75 forklifts and requires less than 100 square feet, whereas traditional battery charging setups can occupy thousands of square feet. This space efficiency allows for better utilization of warehouse real estate.
Interestingly, we have some other posts related to this content:
Green Hydrogen Plant to Open in Madrid: Using Recycled Water: This post reports on the opening of Spain’s first green hydrogen plant in 2024, located at the Arroyo Culebro Cuenca Media Alta wastewater treatment facility in Pinto, Madrid. HYVIA’s Renault Master Van H2-TECH – Green Hydrogen in Spain: HYVIA’s Renault Master Van H2-TECH, a green hydrogen-powered van with zero emissions, 5-minute refueling, and over 400 km range, utilizes Plug Power’s 30 kW fuel cell.