The work to install external insulation at the site follows a partnership between Haulotte and hydrogen solutions specialist Equans to design a unit powered by a green hydrogen fuel cell.

The Haulotte Pulseo scissor, with hydrogen-powered range extender at Saint-Cyr-l鈥櫭塩ole.

In May 2022 the partnership signed an agreement with the France鈥檚 national hydrogen team, comprising former employees of construction company Bouygues Energies & Services, to test the electric HS18 E PRO scissor lift, from the manufacturer鈥檚 Pulseo range, in real conditions.

This lift is equipped with a removable Range Extender, powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which recharges the batteries.

鈥淲hile electric machines are already available, hydrogen offers the advantage of decarbonizing isolated sites lacking electrical infrastructure, increasing autonomy, and enabling quick recharges,鈥� said Haulotte.

The worksite is run by Bouygues B芒timent Habitat Social with a hydrogen refill station.

Haulotte added, 鈥淭he partnership between Haulotte and Equans paves the way for an accelerated energy transition on construction sites, improving machine endurance and productivity.

The hydrogen range extender.

鈥淭his rapid recharge system also avoids long charging times and mitigates the risk of nighttime equipment theft. Besides the environmental benefits, the use of hydrogen also enhances comfort for operators and bystanders: pollutant emissions and noise are drastically reduced, as the fuel cell emits only water vapor.鈥�

To meet the challenge, Haulotte and Equans relied on two French companies. Roth H2 supplied the refill station that meets the space and the robust requirements of worksites, while H2SYS integrated the hydrogen fuel cell and high-pressure storage technology into the scissor lift, manufactured by Haulotte.

Strategic feedback 

The test on the pilot site began in May 2024 and ran through the second half of 2024 to confirm the technical and economic viability of hydrogen technology for this type of use and validate studies on the hydrogen supply ecosystem for construction sites.

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