Linde to provide hydrogen-powered forklift trucks and tow tractors for BMW

The grant will be used to develop a fleet of hydrogen-powered forklift trucks and tow tractors for logistics trains. The aim of the project is to test the eco-friendly and efficient hydrogen drive system in industrial trucks under realistic production conditions. Charging cycles, battery replacement and the maintenance of common lead/acid batteries require relatively long downtimes for conventional trucks.

The fuel cell hybrid system for forklift trucks and tractors, however, is refuelled within just a few minutes and requires very little maintenance.

The preparations for the field trial in Germany are underway at the BMW plant in Leipzig. This involves the setup of Germany's first indoor hydrogen refuelling station in the production shop for BMW i automobiles.

Linde Material Handling is providing the industrial trucks for these trials- all of which are fitted with fuel cell system and hydrogen tanks. The fml Chair will oversee the scientific monitoring and evaluation regarding ecological and economic sustainability. BMW will test the technology under everyday conditions in a real production environment.

The funding will run until April 2016 and the research is being carried out under the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP) and amounts to a sum of €2.9 million.