Crown Equipment Corporation, one of the world’s leading forklift manufacturers, has announced a couple of initiatives supporting its customers’ exploration and deployment of fuel cell-powered forklifts. Developments include qualification of sit-down counterbalanced forklifts to operate with fuel cells and deployment of France’s first fleet of hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklifts.

Known as the multipurpose workhorse for warehouse applications, the Crown SC 5300 Series has met approval within the company’s Fuel Cell Qualification Program that analyzes Crown electric forklifts for use with fuel cell packs. It is a member of Crown’s line of sit-down counterbalanced forklifts, which are equipped to handle multiple applications from dock work to transporting and stocking. The truck designed for fuel cells maintains similar features and benefits presented by the standard SC 5300 model. More than 20 of the company’s forklift models have been qualified for use with fuel cells.

“With numerous companies in the United States successfully integrating fuel cell-powered forklifts into their fleets and facilities, we are beginning to receive an increasing number of inquiries and interest on the technology from many of our European customers,” said Ernst Baumgartner, fuel cell project manager, Crown Equipment. “The fuel cell-powered Crown SC 5300 is a major accomplishment toward making fuel cells a viable strategic option for European customers looking to bolster the sustainability of their warehouses.”