DB Schenker will test the trucks in a field trial this year.

Linde Material Handling is providing 10 Type T 20 SP pallet stackers for the E-LOG bio-fleet research project.

The E-LOG project aims to improve operating behaviour and environmental sustainability by using an industrial truck fleet with a fuel cell hybrid solution and "range extender".

The project's partners see the intralogistics industry as the world's biggest market for electric drives, and productivity is often limited when battery-powered forklifts are used, particularly in a multiple-shift operation. They attribute this to the time and effort involved in changing the battery and the battery's limited service life and relatively high maintenance costs.

One of the partners, Fronius International, has developed the HyLOG Fleet energy cell to replace a conventional battery. The energy cell comprises a PEM fuel cell, a lithium battery and a 350-bar pressure tank for hydrogen. It has a continuous output of 2.6 kW and a short-term peak output of 11 kW.

The energy cell's special feature is indoor refueling, with a refueling facility for hydrogen at 350-bar set to be approved and built. It will not only be an Austrian first, but also a European first. A decentralised hydrogen production facility will be installed and will be used to reform biomethane, to produce hydrogen.

Other partners in the project include DB Schenker that will test the trucks in a field trial later this year; Linde Fördertechnik, a Linde Material Handling subsidiary, will retrofit the forklift fleet; OMV will supply the hydrogen infrastructure; and Joanneum Research will evaluate the environmental sustainability of the project using lifecycle assessments. Lastly, HyCentA Research will support the project with technical, economic and ecological analyses and will be involved in project management.

The project, funded by the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund, was presented at the sixth A3PS conference held by the Austrian Agency for Alternative Propulsion Systems at the Austria Centre in Vienna last year.