Two fuel-cell trucks from Linde MH are now in use at the Linde Gas Division in Pullach, Germany.

Linde Material Handling has delivered two fuel cell forklifts to Linde Group's gases division.

The fuel cell forklifts are based on the Linde E30 three-tonne electric counterbalanced forklift. In place of the usual 80 volt battery, the forklifts have a fuel cell and a tank which stores 1.6kg of hydrogen gas at 350 bar.

Electricity generated from the hydrogen supplies the electric motors that drive the truck. The supercaps, which are large condensers, act as a buffer and cover performance peaks when the forklift pulls away or does lifting. The trucks bear the CE mark and can be used on public roads.

According to Linde Material Handling, the forklifts' performance is "not different" from the equivalent battery-powered model in the range.

The forklifts were developed over the past two years with Linde's long-term partner, Canadian fuel cell manufacturer Hydrogenics. Linde's contractual partner, Gruma Nutzfahrzeuge, based in Garching near Munich, has been involved in the project from the beginning, and is responsible for the forklifts' service and maintenance.

Benefits of the fuel cell forklift include "zero emissions" as the only waste product from the splitting of hydrogen molecules is water, and there is no longer a need for battery replacement or a battery-charging process that lasts several hours. Safety risks related to the use of battery acid are also removed. Forklift operators are only required to undertake an additional hour-and-a-half of training to use the trucks.

Linde Gas is using one of the forklifts to transport gas bottles between production halls and the truck embarkation point, which involves the crossing of a public road. The second forklift is involved in gas bottle filling. Both fuel cell forklifts replace previously used 3.5-tonne diesel forklifts.

Linde Material Handling has incorporated the fuel cell forklifts into its product range and they are now offered as a customised option. The forklift manufacturer has produced a beverage industry version that offers an optimised view over the load.

The Linde Group and Linde Material Handling are separate entities. In 2006, the Linde Group sold its forklift business to financial investors Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, to focus on its gas and engineering business (Forkliftaction.com News #285).