KION Group launches fuel cell systems for industrial trucks (news with additional features).
The KION Group has launched its own fuel cell systems for its industrial trucks. The global intralogistics company has developed a 24-volt system for warehouse trucks. Up to 5,000 fuel cell systems per year can be manufactured on the new production line at the Hamburg plant. The Group is investing more than €11 million in this technology. A 48-volt system is to be added to the fuel cell portfolio in the next years.
Valeria Gargiulo, Chief People & Sustainability Officer of KION GROUP AG, explains the advantages of the fuel cell system:
Our move into the production of hydrogen drives enables us to meet the growing demand from our customers for an emission-free and sustainable drive system that can be refueled quickly.
“It means we can now offer our customers everything from a single source: the truck, the fuel cell systems, and the aftersales service.”
Simple and practical, fast and clean
Fuel cell technology offers many advantages. Hydrogen drives produce zero emissions during operation, which makes them ideal for use in the enclosed space of warehouses. If the hydrogen comes from renewable sources, for example biogas or electrolysis using solar or wind power, its use is also climate-neutral. A complete refueling only takes between three and five minutes. This keeps the amount of time that vehicles are out of operation to a minimum and increases their availability. When it comes to multi-shift operation and large fleets, these benefits add up. Clean fuel cell drives are a practical alternative to conventional lead-acid batteries in industries such as pharmaceuticals and food, where hygiene is critical.
Fuel cell technology in industrial trucks
In fuel cell systems, power is generated by a chemical reaction between oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2), which feeds a compact lithium-ion battery. The hybrid combination then delivers power to the drive and lift motors. The fuel cell directly generates the electrical energy needed to operate the truck. The by-products of this ‘cold combustion’ are nothing but heat and water.
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
KION Group launches fuel cell systems for industrial trucks (news with additional features). source
