Press Releases 2005
Toyota Industries Corporation develops a fuel cell for forklift
Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) has succeeded in independently developing a fuel cell hybrid system for forklift use, a first among forklift manufacturers. A prototype TOYOTA FCHV-F featuring the system will be displayed at CeMAT, the world's leading trade fair for intralogistics, in Hannover, October 11-15.
TICO's fuel cell hybrid system has been developed in cooperation with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), the leading company in fuel cell vehicle development. This allows TICO to make use of TMC's advanced technology and to share components in the automotive field. With these advantages, it aims to further development of high-performance, low-cost fuel cell systems.
The environment has been a central Toyota priority for many years, with the company setting out very clear commitments to environmental welfare in its worldwide environmental policy.
Fuel cell technology significantly reduces harmful environmental emissions. Using hydrogen as its main power source, a fuel cell forklift produces electricity without combustion and generates zero CO2 emissions. Fuel cell forklifts have been gaining attention in recent years amidst a growing worldwide trend towards environmental conservation, as they make use of innovative technology.
Fuel cell forklifts also contribute to strengthened cost reduction. Although some technical issues remain to be solved before the use of fuel cell forklifts becomes widespread, these issues are expected to be overcome.
Fuel cell forklifts require minimal refilling and significantly less maintenance than electric forklifts, whose batteries must be periodically charged, refilled with water, and replaced. In addition, the fuel cell hybrid system ensures constant power delivery and performance, eliminating the reduction in voltage output that occurs as batteries discharge.
These and other features make fuel cell forklifts ideally suited to conditions such as those found at the large distribution centers, where forklifts often run continuous 24-hour shifts. Individual plants are able to establish their own hydrogen fueling stations. The adoption of fuel cell powered forklifts will result in effectively lowering total logistics costs.
Toyota Industries Corporation aims to further accumulate technological expertise and distinguish its products from its competitors. This expertise is being continually gained through TICO's forklift development, particularly the independent development of engines and AC power drive train systems.
With fuel cell technology as well, TICO has gained expertise through many years of developing power electronics technology for its electric forklifts, as well as through participation in TMC's automotive fuel cell development. These important skills are constantly put to use as the company continues to advance its FC technology.
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Notes to editor: The following are features and vehicle specifications for the newly-developed TOYOTA FCHV-F technology:
1. Features
(1) Hybrid construction featuring electric double-layer capacitors ideally suited to forklifts, which experience numerous interruptions in current input and output due to frequent starting and stopping. This feature, along with the use of regenerative braking, allows the fuel cell system to operate at maximum efficiency.
(2) Equipped with a high-performance fuel cell (TOYOTA FC stack) and other automotive fuel cell parts for enhanced performance and reliability.
(3) Components (fuel cell stack, high-pressure hydrogen tank, etc.) are mounted on a single module cartridge-type frame that can replace existing batteries in electric models
2. Vehicle Specifications
| VEHICLE |
| Overall length/Width/Height (mm) | 3595/1215/2190 |
| Travelling speed max. | 18 (No Load) |
| Load capacity (kg) | 2500 |
|
| FC POWER UNIT |
| SYSTEM VOLTAGE (V) | 80 |
| FUEL CELL | Name | TOYOTA FC Stack |
| Type | Polymer Electrolyte |
| Rated Power (kW) | 30 |
| FUEL | Type | Hydrogen |
| Storage system | High Pressure Hydrogen Storage |
Maximum storage
pressure (MPa) | 35 |
|
| ELECTRIC STORAGE DEVICE | Electric Double Layer Capacitor |
| | Peak power (kW) | 20 |