FM Logistic retrofits forklifts with hydrogen fuel cells

FM Logistic last month retrofitted 6 Toyota forklifts with hydrogen fuel cells at its logistics facility in Illescas, Spain. The retrofit is part of a wider plan to produce and use green hydrogen for logistics and short-distance transport. 

The newly equipped forklifts have displayed several advantages over models with lead-acid batteries, such as lower emissions of pollutants, safer handling and fast refuelling. Refuelling takes only a few minutes, compared with 8 hours of charging for legacy forklifts. 

The hydrogen used is produced from solar energy thanks to photovoltaic installations located on the roof of the Illescas fulfilment centre. In October 2021, FM Logistic and its partner Plug Power set up a hydrogen generator inside the facility. It can produce up to 45 kg of hydrogen per week. 

Grupo Electron carried out the retrofit of the forklifts. Since hydrogen batteries are smaller and lighter than lead-acid batteries, this involved ensuring the stability of the fuel cells, adding a counterweight and creating ventilation windows.

As a next step, FM Logistic’s Spanish arm will introduce a hydrogen-powered van in early 2022.

Media contact: Agence Ogilvy Paris, fmlogistic@ogilvy.com