No-Emission, Hydrogen-Powered Forklift Demonstrated at Canadian General Motors Plant

No-emission, hydrogen-powered forklift in operation at the GM plant in Oshawa, Ontario.

General Motors of Canada Limited and Hydrogenics Corporation recently demonstrated a no-emission, hydrogen-powered forklift at the GM plant in Oshawa, Ontario.

Hydrogenics is leading a consortium of partners to develop, demonstrate and move fuel cell-powered forklifts toward commercialization. This is the first time a fuel cell vehicle supported by an on-site hydrogen fueling station has been demonstrated at a GM facility. This project is being partially funded with a $1.45 million contribution from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). SDTC is a foundation created by the Government of Canada that operates a $550 million fund to support the development and demonstration of clean technologies that address issues of climate change, clean air, water and soil quality.

"This trial of hydrogen-powered forklift trucks at GM's car plant in Oshawa is just one example of the steps GM and its partners are taking as we head down the road to the hydrogen economy," said David Paterson, vice-president, corporate and environmental affairs, GM Canada. "Demonstration projects like this are critical to the development of fuel cell technology. With predictable duty cycles, lift trucks are an ideal application from which to learn and a large plant like ours, where external elements are not a factor, is an ideal place in which to conduct a trial like this."

"The Government of Canada, through SDTC, is pleased to support leadership shown by companies such as General Motors of Canada Limited and Hydrogenics Corporation in their response to the challenge to take action on climate change," said R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada. "Using this hydrogen fuel-cell technology for industrial vehicles has the potential to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- a major contributor to climate change."

Close-up of fuel cell in the forklift.

Hydrogenics, in partnership with GM Canada, demonstrated the hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklift and a Hydrogenics HyLYZER hydrogen refueling station. Because the HyLYZER refueling station is compact -- with easy connection points -- it can be transported easily from site to site. The HyLYZER can produce a variable amount of hydrogen, depending on requirements, and it can refuel a forklift in a fraction of the time that the batteries can be changed or recharged on a battery-powered unit.

"Currently, industrial vehicles contribute almost 13 percent of the global total of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions," said Pierre Rivard, president and CEO of Hydrogenics. "We believe that one of the first commercial uses for hydrogen powered-vehicles will be in industrial vehicle fleets, such as forklifts, where dedicated on-site refueling stations can meet immediate refueling needs. Fuel cell-powered forklifts are ideal for indoor facilities, such as factories and warehouses, because they produce no exhaust emissions." Over the past year, Hydrogenics and a consortium of technology and end-use partners have been working to develop, demonstrate and advance fuel cell-powered forklifts toward commercialization. The project is being financially supported by a $1.45 million contribution from Sustainable Development Technology Canada, which is leveraging a $1.98 million commitment from the Hydrogenics-led consortium. The consortium members include Deere & Company, FedEx Canada, General Motors of Canada, NACCO Materials Handling Group and the Canadian Transportation Fuel Cell Alliance. SDTC's funding supports testing and refinement of the technology, as part of the development and demonstration process.

The Fuel Cell

In very simple terms, a fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy from hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy and produces an electrical current. It is similar to a battery in that it has an anode and a cathode. However, a battery is only capable of storing power, whereas the fuel cell can generate it, so long as hydrogen, the fuel, is being supplied. As such, the fuel cell system also has similarities to an internal combustion engine, except that it operates very efficiently at low temperatures and with minimal moving parts. In the process of electrochemical conversion to create electricity, the only by-products of the fuel cell are water and heat.

About General Motors of Canada

Headquartered in Oshawa Ontario, General Motors of Canada employs 22,000 people nationwide. GM of Canada manufactures a variety of vehicles, engines, transmissions and other components and markets the full range of General Motors vehicles and related services through 785 dealerships and retailers across Canada. Vehicles sold through this network include Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Hummer, Saturn and Saab.

About Hydrogenics

Hydrogenics Corporation is a global developer of clean energy solutions, which include hydrogen and fuel cell products. The company has a portfolio of products and capabilities serving the hydrogen and energy markets. Hydrogenics, based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, has operations in North America, Europe and Asia.

Hydrogenics Corp.,

5985 McLaughlin Road, Mississauga, ON L5R 1B8, Canada

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