Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a government organisation that supports clean air technologies from the research stage through to commercial application, has pledged funding to an initiative to develop hydrogen technologies for commercial vehicles.

The two year project will be lead by clean energy developer Hydrogenics, in conjunction with GM Canada and Nacco Materials Handling Group, and aims to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen technology in commercial lift trucks and other industrial vehicles.

Building on the partners' successful 2005 demonstration, which deployed two HyPM Fuel Cell Power Pack driven alpha prototype forklifts at GM Canada's Oshawa car plant, the latest initiative will see Hydrogenics beta version HyPM fuel cell used in up to 19 lift trucks and tuggers at the Oshawa plant.

Hydrogenics expects the trial to demonstrate the ability of fuel cell technology, which utilises a platinum catalyst, to provide a clean, economically viable power alternative for the materials handling market.

David Paterson, vice president of corporate and environmental affairs for GM Canada, indicated that the company was looking forward to playing a part in the development of hydrogen technology.

Mr Paterson said the company had been "impressed with the durability and reliability of the vehicles, as well as their environmental potential".

Stating that the first trial had served as a validation of fuel cell power packs in the sector, Pierre Rivard, Hydrogenic's president and CEO, highlighted the goals of the latest initiative.

"The focus of this new, larger, demonstration is to further the technology development curve, moving Hydrogenics closer to the commercialization of its fuel cell technology in this exciting application," he said.

Hydrogenics expects the HyPM power packs to increase productivity and leverage operational improvements, claiming that benefits include faster refuelling time, "extended run-time" and "consistent and abundant power".

Ÿ Adfero Ltd