Another political boost for Germany as a fuel cell location: Clean In-tralogistics Net network welcomes BMVI call for funding

  • Call for funding for fuel cell powered industrial truck fleets
  • 5 million euros Total funding volume
  • Goal: Further activation of the market for industrial trucks with fuel cells

Berlin, September 18, 2020 – The Clean Intralogistics Net (CIN) industry network welcomes the German government’s call for funding to specifically promote fuel cell technology in intralogistics. According to the funding call for industrial truck fleets with fuel cell drive systems dated September 18, 2020, the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) is providing a total of 5 million euros in funding. This further support from policymakers helps to create a cost advantage over conventional technology and thus further reduce the market barriers to fuel cell technology for industrial trucks and the associated refueling infrastructure. The National Hydrogen Strategy adopted by the German cabinet in June is intended to make Germany the global leader in hydrogen technologies. The German government is thus underscoring the importance of hydrogen as an energy carrier for a successful energy transition and the achievement of climate protection targets. “Politicians have recognized how important green hydrogen is as an energy carrier of the future. This brings additional momentum to the hydrogen and fuel cell industry,” says Kai Hesse, CIN spokesman for Toyota Material Handling Deutschland GmbH. With the adoption of the National Hydrogen Strategy, the framework is in place for the production, distribution and use of hydrogen and thus also for corresponding investments in fuel cell technology for intralogistics. With its first call for funding last year, the BMVI provided over 3 million euros in funding for successful intralogistics projects. The logistics industry is thus motivated to further fuel cell activities and sees the funding volume of 5 million euros this year as a further driver for opening up a larger market.

About the current funding call
The aim of the latest funding call is primarily to further activate the market for industrial trucks with fuel cells for industry and commerce as well as airports, e.g. in forklifts and tractors. Thus, zero-emission technology can provide both better environmental protection and increased productivity for companies. The prerequisite for funding an associated hydrogen filling station is a minimum number of ten industrial trucks or three kilograms of hydrogen consumption per operating hour. Those interested in the current funding call can submit their application now until November 20, 2020 at the latest. The applicant is the user of the technology. A bonus of 10 to 20 percent is on the cards for smaller and medium-sized companies. “With a view to zero-emission mobility and logistics, innovative networks like the CIN have a key role to play for the entire industry and for Germany as a sustainable logistics location. By collaborating with leading global groups in the CIN, we can pool knowledge and expertise. This means that the technology can be presented to potential users and other interested parties on a manufacturer-neutral basis. In addition, we can thus promote the fuel cell even more strongly along the entire value chain,” says Wolfgang Axthammer, Managing Director and Program Manager Special Markets at NOW GmbH and initiator of the CIN. Currently, 13 companies are organized as partners in the CIN to promote the market activation and market development of fuel cells in the intralogistics segment. The partners represent the entire value chain, from manufacturers of industrial trucks and fuel cells, to suppliers of components and gases, to users of the technology.

Green total package for future-oriented companies
As an efficient technology of the future, the fuel cell is of great importance, especially in intralogistics. While in the USA there are already around 30,000 fuel cell-powered industrial trucks running on hydrogen, which are already being used to manage entire production facilities, the number of such trucks in Germany has so far been limited to less than 300. “Technologically, we are already well positioned in Germany and Europe to compete globally,” Axthammer is nevertheless confident. This should now also be reflected in the corresponding unit sales on the domestic market. The resulting reduction in system costs increases the competitiveness of German industry and sustainably secures jobs in Germany. The advantages of the fuel cell over battery operation are the shorter refueling time of only 3 minutes, the higher availability and the elimination of costly power peaks at the site. Higher power availability guarantees particularly energy-demanding operations, such as in goods distribution centers. The fuel cell is also clearly ahead in terms of pollutant residues, safe handling and space requirements at the point of use, and thus represents the most attractive overall green package for future-oriented companies.

About Clean Intralogistics Net (CIN)
Clean Intralogistics Net was founded in 2016 by 8 entrepreneurs to sustainably push the use of fuel cell technology in logistics. The initiator of the network is NOW GmbH National Organization Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology. Today, 13 partners, groups operating on the world market, are organized in the CIN. The VDMA Association for Materials Handling and Intralogistics is an associated partner. More information: www.cleanintralogistics.net

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