Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A. Inc. (TMHU) displayed a prototype of the industry's first fuel cell lift truck at ProMat 2007 in Chicago. The prototype, called the Toyota FCHV-F, was developed by Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) in cooperation with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and is the first fuel cell truck designed to reduce emissions. Using hydrogen as its main power source, the Toyota FCHV-F produces electricity without combustion and generates zero carbon dioxide emissions. Maintenance is significantly lower than electric lift trucks, whose batteries must be periodically charged, refilled with water and replaced. In addition, the fuel cell hybrid system ensures constant power delivery and performance, eliminating the reduction in voltage output that occurs as batteries discharge. Fuel cell lift trucks are suited to conditions found at large distribution centers, where lift trucks often run continual 24-hour shifts, according to Toyota. These individual plants will be able to establish their own hydrogen fueling stations and achieve significantly lower total logistics costs. For more information on TMHU, visit www.toyotaforklift.com or call 1-800-226-0009.