New Kansai International Airport which manages Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) is planning to introduce dozens of FC (fuel cell) forklift for use inside the airports with the aim of achieving in 2016. It will be the first attempt by domestic airports, and dedicated filling stations will be installed to supply hydrogen to FC forklifts.

It has already been decided to construct a hydrogen station in Kansai International Airport within the year of 2014. According to the company, joint filling of FC vehicles with FC buses in the station was once discussed, but in consideration of safety and efficiency compelled on the operation in the environmentally sensitive area, the policy to install a dedicated filling station has been taken eventually.

The company organized Hygrid Study Group in joint efforts with Iwatani, Toyota Motor Corporation and Osaka Prefecture to demonstrate and establish an energy system of the local production/consumption type taking advantage of renewable energies with low dependence upon fossil fuels.

Kansai International Airport has already been studying with demonstrative examinations the introduction of FC forklifts developed jointly by Toyota Industries and Toyota Motor to be realized this autumn. The plan at this time is included as part of the said project.

FC forklifts are characteristic with their short fuel charging time ranging from three to five minutes. In case of motor-driven forklifts, it takes six to eight hours for filling with the same eight hour operation as the FC type, requiring spaces for filling and storing of spare batteries. At the moment about 400 forklifts are used in Kansai International Airport, half of which are motor-driven. As the company succeeds in cost reduction with FC forklifts, it may renew all the current airport forklifts into the FC type.