Toyota deploys fuel cell forklifts at Motomachi Plant

Toyota Motor Corporation has released 20 fuel cell forklifts for use at its Motomachi Plant in Toyota City.

The company has been working to meet its Plant Zero CO2 Emissions Challenge, which is part of Toyota’s Environment Challenge 2050.

Toyota plans on replacing existing conventional forklifts with fuel cell forklifts, deploying a total of 170 to 180 fuel cell forklifts to the Motomachi Plant by around 2020.

The deployment and use of fuel cell forklifts will also be promoted at other plants.

As part of this, Toyota has been creating its own low-emissions production technologies.

A joint initiative led by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry Economy, Trade and Industry has allowed the use of the newly introduced forklifts.

Fuel cell forklifts utilize hydrogen to generate electricity, and can be refuelled in approximately three minutes.

A hydrogen-station has been built to power the forklifts.