Mercedes-Benz buys hydrogen fuel cells for forklifts

LATHAM, New York: Mercedes-Benz International Inc is greening up some of its lift truck fleet.

The company has purchased 72 hydrogen fuel cells from Plug Power Inc. The GenDrive fuel cells will replace the existing lead-acid batteries in all of the Hyster electric lift truck fleet that is currently in use at the Mercedes-Benz facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Compact hydrogen refuelling stations from Air Products will be installed onsite.

By eliminating the need to swap out—and hence store—batteries, Mercedes-Benz is able to eliminate its battery room and open that valuable floor space up for storing and moving product.