The KION Group has launched its own fuel cell systems for its industrial trucks. The global intralogistics company has developed a 24-volt system for warehouse trucks. Up to 5,000 fuel cell systems per year can be manufactured on the new production line at the Hamburg plant.

The Group is investing more than EUR 11 million in this technology. Simple and practical, fast and clean: Fuel cell technology offers many advantages. Hydrogen drives produce zero emissions during operation, which makes them ideal for use in the enclosed space of warehouses.

If the hydrogen comes from renewable sources, for example biogas or electrolysis using solar or wind power, its use is also climate-neutral. A complete refueling only takes between three and five minutes. This keeps the amount of time that vehicles are out of operation to a minimum and increases their availability.

When it comes to multi-shift operation and large fleets, these benefits add up. Clean fuel cell drives are a practical alternative to conventional lead-acid batteries in industries such as pharmaceuticals and food, where hygiene is critical. In fuel cell systems, power is generated by a chemical reaction between oxygen (O[2]) and hydrogen (H[2]), which feeds a compact lithium-ion battery.

The hybrid combination then delivers power to the drive and lift motors. The fuel cell directly generates the electrical energy needed to operate the truck. The by-products of this 'cold combustion' are nothing but heat and water.