BFS converts fork lifts to fuel-cells

ERJ staff report (DS)

Nashville, Tennessee -- Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire's (BFNT) Aiken County plant is converting its fork lift trucks to hydrogen power, based on fuel cells.

This year the plant is converting 22 forklifts to the the technology supplied byPlug Power, and removing the lead acid batteries previously used to power the trucks. The remaining fleet will be retired and new equipment will use the new technology.

"We are very excited about this new green initiative," said Plant Manager Mike Rose. "The fuel cells are a direct replacement that last longer than batteries, take less time to change or refuel and only emit water vapor. This is certainly a step in the right direction as we work continually to minimize our impact on our environment."

This is Bridgestone's fifth order for GenDrive power units in less than two years. Since delivery of the first units in early 2006, the GenDrive units have logged more than 10,000 operating hours without service disruption.

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Press release from Plug Power