Suzuki Shokan concluded a license agreement with Air Products of USA for the design, construction and management of H2 station to supply fuel to FC forklifts in Japan, and started a full-fledged operation on February 18.

In the US the adoption of FC for forklifts in place of lead-acid car batteries has been getting popular under the Government support for introduction, and about 6,000 FC-driven forklifts have already been put in operation. As it takes six to eight hours to charge a lead-acid battery and troubles occur in storage or disposition, FC which enables charging in several minutes and also would enhance the working efficiency of material transporting vehicles. Air Products sold more than 70 units of dispenser to over 20 customers.

In the tie-up at this time the two parties also signed an engineering license agreement, in which Air Products’ dispenser and various auxiliary equipment mass-produced in the States are re-arranged to meet the Japanese regulations by Suzuki Shokan.
Requesting Air Products for re-designing to meet the Japanese market, Suzuki Shokan receives all necessary materials and components from Air Products for the purpose. As producer and seller of hydrogen Suzuki Shokan will connect the licensed business to its domestic business and the subsequent supply of hydrogen making the most of its high engineering know, designing, installing technology and expertized knowledge of safety.

According to Tetsuya Yamamoto, general manager of Toyota Office of Sales Division to be in charge of the business, the gas holder, booster, accumulator, dispenser and system are identical with those for FCV, but a little more compact at 35MPa for forklifts. The space and price are down-scaled in comparison with those for FCV stations. However, considering the number of forklift manufacturers is limited because of the dedicated in-house installation of logistics or transportation facilities, the sales activities will be confined and specialized. A demonstrative model will be unveiled in the FC Exposition for the first time in Japan.