K. Bonhoff at the start
Forklift manufacturer Still can now call itself the first original equipment manufacturer in Europe to offer its own fuel cell system. After a lengthy preparation period, the first production line for 24-volt systems was commissioned in a celebratory ceremony.
The first fuel cell systems produced in Hamburg have been rolling off the production line since the end of last week. Florian Heydenreich, Head of Sales at Still EMEA, pressed the start button together with Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economic Affairs and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and Professor Klaus Bonhoff, Head of Department for Fundamental Issues at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDV).
In the future, high-performance fuel cell systems for warehouse equipment will be mass-produced here – from the manufacturing of individual components in the mechatronics center to the production of the fuel cell systems on the production line, culminating in a final quality check in a specially designed test rig. Particular attention is paid to the complex testing process, as it ensures that the system functions correctly, withstands the highest pressure, and that no gases can escape.
With the launch of its own production line, the first 24-volt storage technology vehicles can now be offered ex-works as fuel cell versions.
Still sees itself as the only manufacturer in the intralogistics sector to date that produces its own fuel cell systems and integrates them optionally into its vehicles. "As a pioneer in the intralogistics sector, we feel it is our responsibility to boldly and consistently drive the energy transition forward. The expansion of green hydrogen technology as an emission-free and resource-conserving drive system plays a crucial role in this," explains Heydenreich.
F. Heydenreich. Photos: Still
As previously reported in advance regarding the collaboration with the Hamburg-based engineering firm "Hydrogentle", the fuel cell system was developed in-house and funded with a total of 1.9 million euros as part of the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.
Customers now get everything from a single source – from high-quality industrial trucks including fuel cell systems to consulting, planning and service, all the way to the entire hydrogen infrastructure.
To enable customers with small fleets to also gain an attractive entry into fuel cell technology, Still will offer a mobile hydrogen refueling station for refueling hydrogen-powered vehicles as well as fuel cell vehicles as a rental solution starting in the first quarter of 2024. This will give customers the opportunity to test fuel cell technology without restrictions for approximately four weeks in real-world usage scenarios.
Promoting a good cause: Senator M. Leonhard (center)
Still intends to continue investing in the expansion of hydrogen technology in intralogistics. Firstly, work is already underway on the development of a 48-volt fuel cell system, which will also be produced at the Hamburg plant in the future. Secondly, an expansion of production capacities is planned over the next few years. The existing production line is already designed for this.
