Still, the Hamburg-based industrial truck manufacturer, has inaugurated its first production line for 24-volt fuel cell systems, marking a significant leap in intralogistics hydrogen technology. The northern German port city’s Still plant will now produce fuel cell systems for warehouse vehicles in series, making Still the sole intralogistics sector manufacturer to independently produce and integrate fuel cell systems into its vehicles.
With the aim of fostering hydrogen use in intralogistics and supporting Hamburg’s vision to become a hydrogen hub, Still’s new production line signifies a pivotal move in advancing green energy solutions. The company positions itself as a trailblazer by not only manufacturing individual components but also producing the entire fuel cell system.
Hamburg, with its abundance of wind energy suitable for long-term hydrogen storage and strategic geopolitical advantages, is an ideal location for hydrogen-focused initiatives. Still’s initiative aligns with the broader goal of promoting hydrogen infrastructure beyond ports, with intralogistics vehicles offering viable business cases, driving the expansion of hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
Collaborating with hydrogen experts like Hydrogentle, Still is actively involved in hydrogen projects and extends advisory services to its customers. The innovative approach, previously successful in the US with PlugPower, allows intralogistics vehicles to serve as catalysts for hydrogen economy infrastructure growth, demonstrating sound business cases without the reliance on government subsidies.
The opening of the production line was attended by Hamburg’s Senator for Economic Affairs Melanie Leonhard and Klaus Bonhoff, highlighting the regional significance of the move towards green hydrogen technology. Florian Heydenreich, Executive Vice President Sales & Service at Still in the EMEA region, emphasized the company’s commitment to driving the energy transition by expanding green hydrogen technology.
As part of its strategy to provide an accessible introduction to fuel cell technology, Still plans to offer a mobile hydrogen filling station as a rental solution from the first quarter of 2024. This initiative enables customers to test vehicles in real-world scenarios before committing to a permanent refueling solution.
Still’s future plans include the development of a 48-volt system with fuel cells for more powerful vehicles, potentially expanding production to include this system in the Hamburg plant. The company is also set to expand production of the 24-volt system, with a newly inaugurated production line dedicated to this purpose.
