Well...that's what I mean but didn't fully illuminate. Without the subsidies its a losing game...

We are all taxpayers here...do we want to continue to support technology that is not self-sustaining? Just becasue we get water out of the tailpipe? I don't!

But to answer your questions (with what I know first hand)

The storage or generation infrastructure is costly ($1.5 million plus)

Permitting is required = $$$

2 X yearly maintenance on the PEM (proton exchange membrane) and related parts. This will take some 30 hours per fuel cell.

Most of these fuel cells charge internal batteries for high demand requirements...don't remember a battery lasting more that 5-6 years, especially not a AGM or Gel Battery, ESPECIALLY in a heavy discharge application (reach truck) so there are more costs...

The only fuel cells I know about in CA are up in the North, a grocery distributor is using some Methane powered cell on the pallet jack fleet. But come on, can you honestly say that could be cheaper than a good 1 phase HF charger and a lead acid battery? Plus the Methane generates a lot of CO2.

I know of installations in Texas mostly (Sysco Foods, HEB grocery (which is failing, allegedly), and that is due to the funding.

Anyway, thanks for the info and discussion chublil! I hope I don't sound too argumentative!