skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Fuel Cell-Powered Lift Truck Fleet Deployment Projects Final Technical Report May 2014

Abstract

The overall objectives of this project were to evaluate the performance, operability and safety of fork lift trucks powered by fuel cells in large distribution centers. This was accomplished by replacing the batteries in over 350 lift trucks with fuel cells at five distribution centers operated by GENCO. The annual cost savings of lift trucks powered by fuel cell power units was between $2,400 and $5,300 per truck compared to battery powered lift trucks, excluding DOE contributions. The greatest savings were in fueling labor costs where a fuel cell powered lift truck could be fueled in a few minutes per day compared to over an hour for battery powered lift trucks which required removal and replacement of batteries. Lift truck operators where generally very satisfied with the performance of the fuel cell power units, primarily because there was no reduction in power over the duration of a shift as experienced with battery powered lift trucks. The operators also appreciated the fast and easy fueling compared to the effort and potential risk of injury associated with switching heavy batteries in and out of lift trucks. There were no safety issues with the fueling or operation of the fuel cells. Although maintenancemore » costs for the fuel cells were higher than for batteries, these costs are expected to decrease significantly in the next generation of fuel cells, making them even more cost effective.« less

Authors:
 [1]
  1. GENCO Infrastructure Solutions, Inc.
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
GENCO Infrastructure Solutions, Inc.
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office
OSTI Identifier:
1130465
Report Number(s):
Final Scientific Report
DOE Contract Number:  
EE0000483
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
08 HYDROGEN; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; 33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS

Citation Formats

Klingler, James J. Fuel Cell-Powered Lift Truck Fleet Deployment Projects Final Technical Report May 2014. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.2172/1130465.
Klingler, James J. Fuel Cell-Powered Lift Truck Fleet Deployment Projects Final Technical Report May 2014. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1130465
Klingler, James J. 2014. "Fuel Cell-Powered Lift Truck Fleet Deployment Projects Final Technical Report May 2014". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1130465. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1130465.
@article{osti_1130465,
title = {Fuel Cell-Powered Lift Truck Fleet Deployment Projects Final Technical Report May 2014},
author = {Klingler, James J},
abstractNote = {The overall objectives of this project were to evaluate the performance, operability and safety of fork lift trucks powered by fuel cells in large distribution centers. This was accomplished by replacing the batteries in over 350 lift trucks with fuel cells at five distribution centers operated by GENCO. The annual cost savings of lift trucks powered by fuel cell power units was between $2,400 and $5,300 per truck compared to battery powered lift trucks, excluding DOE contributions. The greatest savings were in fueling labor costs where a fuel cell powered lift truck could be fueled in a few minutes per day compared to over an hour for battery powered lift trucks which required removal and replacement of batteries. Lift truck operators where generally very satisfied with the performance of the fuel cell power units, primarily because there was no reduction in power over the duration of a shift as experienced with battery powered lift trucks. The operators also appreciated the fast and easy fueling compared to the effort and potential risk of injury associated with switching heavy batteries in and out of lift trucks. There were no safety issues with the fueling or operation of the fuel cells. Although maintenance costs for the fuel cells were higher than for batteries, these costs are expected to decrease significantly in the next generation of fuel cells, making them even more cost effective.},
doi = {10.2172/1130465},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1130465}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue May 06 00:00:00 EDT 2014},
month = {Tue May 06 00:00:00 EDT 2014}
}