Toyota still showing off fuel-cell forklift
In late 2005, Toyota announced a fuel-cell forklift prototype that was to be displayed at major trade shows. The prototype reappeared at the ProMat show in Chicago earlier this month. The next big industrial show is the IMHX in England this March. Again, Toyota will be there with the FCHV-F, a forklift powered by a fuel cell that was developed with Toyota Motors and Toyota Industries. There doesn't some to be any difference in the vehicle or updates to the specifications. Press releases say Toyota is continuing its fuel-cell technology and will bring a fuel-cell lift truck to market in the next few years. One has to wonder about the viability of such a vehicle. The premium for fuel-cell technology might be cost-prohibitive for most operations. Perhaps it will be useful to companies with easy access to hydrogen. I'm curious to see Toyota's business case on this project.
[Source: Materials Handling World]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Howard Lee Harkness 9:16PM (1/21/2007)
"The premium for fuel-cell technology might be cost-prohibitive for most operations. Perhaps it will be useful to companies with easy access to hydrogen."
Actually, it will only be popular with organizations that can freely spend other people's money.
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Tim 10:45AM (1/22/2007)
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) are FOUR TIMES more efficient than fuel cell vehicles. http://www.physorg.com/news85074285.html
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CM 8:51PM (1/23/2007)
There is no practical reason to use fuel cells to power a forklift - fuel cells are far more expensive than batteries or IC engines, and hydrogen is far more expensive than electricity or LPG fuel.
This is like one of those wild concept cars that create a buzz for their company, but which will never be produced.
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