The MIRA Technology Institute has introduced a new hydrogen-powered Toyota Levio LPE 220 powered pallet truck to its training facility in the Midlands.
The site trains engineers and technicians with practical lessons that often require physical automotive parts in the room. This allows the institute to create industry environments and real-world examples but moving these objects is no easy task, hence the need for a pallet truck.
With a 2.2-tonne lifting capacity the hydrogen Levio LPE 220 will be used to move components as well as being a hydrogen training tool. The fuel cell and tank are positioned where a lead acid or lithium-ion battery would typically be and refuelling time is around two to three minutes.
A hydrogen electrolyser and storage is currently being installed at the MIRA Technology Park to generate hydrogen for this machine. The electrolyser will be solar powered to create green renewable hydrogen.
Craig Line, NWSLC’s emerging technology manager said: “We plan to develop hydrogen training specifically for logistics professionals who want to learn how their warehouses or distribution centres can benefit from hydrogen material handling technology. In addition, our hydrogen vehicle awareness workshops focus on the skills truck operators need to ensure that they use the new technology efficiently and safely. Having the Toyota hydrogen pallet truck in our workshop helps lecturers clarify concepts and communicate information to students very effectively.”
Phil Tunney, Toyota material handling’s hydrogen product manager said: “Toyota’s experience with hydrogen-powered forklifts goes back nearly two decades. Toyota hydrogen fuel cell- forklifts have been in operation at sites across the Nordic region and Europe as well as Australia for several years. And, of course, in the automotive sector the Toyota Mirai is at the forefront of a new age of hydrogen fuel cell cars that deliver long distance zero-emissions driving.
“With operators of some very large materials handling equipment fleets, keen to embrace the productivity and sustainability benefits hydrogen technology can deliver, we are anticipating a big up-take of hydrogen-powered trucks in the UK logistics industry. 95% of trucks in the Toyota range can already be supplied from our factory with a fuel cell installed.”
