PRESS RELEASE: Billerica, Massachusetts, July 28, 2017 — Hyster Company has announced that the electrification of its line of Hyster® Big Trucks is in development (see Hyster press release). This activity paves the way for zero-emission, fuel-cell versions of heavy duty trucks.  

“The Hyster® brand is synonymous with heavy duty trucks, so we are the natural candidate to champion this new generation of large electric trucks,” says Brett Schemerhorn, President Big Trucks, Americas for Hyster Company. “Initial introductions are likely to be based on lithium-ion batteries. However, through our relationship with Nuvera Fuel Cells, we expect that implementation of hydrogen fuel-cell engines will be achieved in the next phase. Hydrogen fuel cells may allow for rapid refueling, increased productivity, and longer run time between refills.”

Nuvera’s experience developing fuel-cell engines for Class I, II, and III lift trucks and other types of vehicles can be applied to zero-emission, high-capacity equipment such as container handlers.

“In many port applications, fuel cells offer the potential for significant benefits and performance. For example, the ability to power equipment for an entire shift without refilling and maintaining the fueling characteristics of diesel are very attractive elements to terminal operators,” says Gus Block, Director of Marketing and Corporate Development for Nuvera.

In follow-up to the announcement by Hyster, both Hyster and Nuvera have discussed the use of hydrogen and fuel cells in maritime and port applications at a workshop on June 15-16, 2017 in Valencia, Spain. Additionally, Hyster has provided further details on the electric top loader, as well as on other electric truck innovations, at the Terminal Operations Conference Europe 2017 (TOC Europe) that took place this last month at Amsterdam’s RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Hyster® is one of the leading global brands of materials handling equipment and Hyster Europe, a trading name of Hyster-Yale UK Limited, a subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Group, Inc. (www.hyster.com), is a leading worldwide lift truck designer and manufacturer, offering over 140 models of counterbalance trucks, warehouse and container handling equipment. The company invests heavily in research and development to ensure Hyster® products are at the forefront of the materials handling industry providing maximum dependability and low costs of ownership for demanding operations everywhere.

Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLC, a subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Group, Inc., is an alternative-power technology company focused on fuel cell stacks and engines, on-site hydrogen production and dispensing systems.

Hyster-Yale Group, Inc.is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (NYSE:HY).  Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. and its subsidiaries, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, employ approximately 6,500 people worldwide.

Company contact: Duvan Hoffmann, Nuvera Fuel Cells, tel. 617-245-7565