Crown Equipment Corp has deployed fuel cell-powered forklifts at the European logistic centre of Air Liquide SA in Vatry.

The operation is the first in France to use fuel cell-powered forklifts, according to New Bremen, OH, United States-based Crown. Recently, the company's internal fuel cell qualification program approved the SC 5300 Series for use with fuel cell packs. More than 20 Crown forklift models have been qualified for use with fuel cells.

Industrial gas supplier Air Liquide became the first customer to install Crown SC 5300 Series fuel cell-powered sit-down counterbalance forklifts in the European market.

"With numerous companies in the United States successfully integrating fuel cell-powered forklifts into their fleets and facilities, we are beginning to receive an increasing number of inquiries and interest on the technology from many of our European customers," says Ernst Baumgartner, Crown fuel cell project manager. "The fuel cell-powered Crown SC 5300 is a major accomplishment toward making fuel cells a viable strategic option for European customers looking to bolster the sustainability of their warehouses."

Pierre Etienne Franc, director of technologies of the future for Paris-based Air Liquide, says, "Air Liquide applauds Crown's continuing initiative to facilitate the use of fuel cells with their forklifts. It presents a promising business potential" among Crown; HyPulsion, the newly created joint venture between Air Liquide subsidiary Axane and Plug Power Inc; and Air Liquide hydrogen energy.

"We are fully satisfied with this first hydrogen forklift operational deployment," he says. "It demonstrates our commitment to promote hydrogen energy solutions for logistic operators, a new clean and productive energy solution for captive fleets."