Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Exxon Mobil is working in partnership with a group of companies to develop an on-vehicle hydrogen production system for fuel-cell powered lift trucks.

The project involves converting liquid fuels (gasoline, diesel, ethanol or biodiesel) to hydrogen onboard the truck, where it will then be used in a fuel cell powertrain.

This powertrain “has the potential to be up to 80% more fuel-efficient than today's internal combustion engine technologies, and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 45%,” says an Exxon Mobil official.

If development of the on-vehicle hydrogen production system is successful, the new technology will provide a number of benefits. Chief among them, the official says, are increased productivity and reduced fueling time compared to battery-powered lift trucks.

Plus, the hydrogen on demand system would require no hydrogen infrastructure or onboard storage.