Electrical energy solutions firm Exide Technologies has signed an agreement with Ballard Power Systems to develop an on-board combined fuel cell unit aimed at the forklift truck and materials handling market.

The combined unit will comprise Ballard's Mark 1020 ACS hydrogen fuel cell stack and Exide's ELEMENT valve regulated lead acid batteries.

Under the terms of the agreement, all orders Exide receive for fuel cell-powered forklifts over the next five years will be fitted with Ballard fuel cells.

Mark Jesko, Director of Marketing at Exide's Industrial Energy Americas division, said: "Our alliance with Ballard demonstrates our commitment to innovation in high-technology energy storage solutions, while addressing the unique concerns of our customers.

"Using hydrogen fuel cells to provide on-board recharging capability also allows Exide to enter a growth segment of the market."

The firms plan to deliver initial prototypes of the hybrid hydrogen fuel cell battery system to the US Department of Defense.

Prior to its planned use in forklift trucks, Ballard's Mark 1020 fuel cells had chiefly been used in stationary telecommunications backup power applications.

Source:

Exide Technologies Signs Agreement with Ballard Power Systems for Forklift Truck Power Solution, 10/10/07
http://www.exide.com/news/pressrelease/20071009_new_agreement_with_ballard.html

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