The first site in France to use a green hydrogen-powered vehicle is currently underway at Saint-Cyr-l'École. A decarbonized Haulotte aerial work platform is being used to carry out the external insulation of a social housing building.
In May 2022, Haulotte and Equans France's hydrogen team (comprises employees formerly attached to Bouygues Energies & Services) signed an agreement to test a rough terrain* HS18 E PRO scissor lift from the PULSEO* Range in real conditions.
This boom is equipped with a removable Range Extender**, powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which recharges the batteries. While electric machines are already available, hydrogen offers the advantage of decarbonizing isolated sites lacking electrical infrastructure, increasing autonomy, and enabling quick recharges. This onsite experiment is unique in France and required the certification of all equipment and a refill station.
A real-life test
This real-life test is supported by Bouygues Construction Matériel on a worksite equipped with a hydrogen refill station and led by Bouygues Bâtiment Habitat Social. This partnership between Haulotte and Equans paves the way for an accelerated energy transition on construction sites, improving machine endurance and productivity. This 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.
To meet this challenge, Haulotte and Equans relied on two French companies to design and deploy the solutions. Roth H2 is supplying a refill station that meets the space and robustness requirements of worksites, while H2SYS is integrating the hydrogen fuel cell and high-pressure storage technology into the scissor lift manufactured by Haulotte. The entire value chain is involved in this experiment, from hydrogen supply to its use.
Strategic feedback to accelerate the energy transition
The experiment was made possible thanks to the certifications obtained during the development of the project, both for the scissor lift and the recharging station. The test on the pilot site therefore began in May 2024 and ran through the second half of 2024. The aim is twofold: first, to confirm the technical and economic viability of hydrogen technology for these new uses, and second, to validate studies on the hydrogen supply ecosystem for construction sites.
Easily embraced by the entire team on the worksite, the solution is beginning to prove itself against conventional machines. Nearly three months after its start, with daily use of the platform and several hydrogen refilling carried out, users feedback is very positive. Haulotte and Equans teams have real-time access to the machine’s performance and usage, allowing them to gather extensive data from this hydrogen ecosystem experiment.
Manufacturers, energy providers, customers, and users will be the key players in the future deployment of these solutions. Haulotte and Equans employees are fully engaged, working closely to accelerate the decarbonization on worksites—essential for preserving the environment, improving public health, and fostering a more sustainable and responsible construction industry.
“We are proud to successfully experiment with the decarbonization of worksites by using green hydrogen. This pilot project will provide valuable insights to accelerate the energy transition and meet the climate challenges. It’s truly a collective achievement! The involvement of several Bouygues group entities demonstrates our commitment to decarbonization of our industry,” emphasizes Caroline Mazzoleni, Director of Hydrogen and e-fuels Activities at Equans France.
“The Haulotte teams have been fully committed for years to providing work-at-height solutions that reduce the carbon footprint. Collaborating with committed partners like Equans allows us to combine expertise and accelerate innovation for a more eco-friendly future. Overall, the 100% electric architecture of the PULSEO machine, like the one used here on the Bouygues site, allows users to work in urban centers, low-emission zones, and eco-friendly worksites, both indoors and outdoors. Equipped with a Range Extender, our machines ensure fast battery recharge while maintaining full operational capacity,” conclude Patrice Métairie, Executive Vice President of Haulotte, and Benoît Baleydier, project manager.
*The scissor lift dowes its name to the way it elevates. As it rises, the arms contract and take the shape of scissors, allowing for vertical elevation only. They are divided into two categories: For slab floors: Electric scissor lifts can be used on all types of stabilized surfaces. They are highly flexible, offering more compact dimensions than diesel versions, and can be used indoors or outdoors, even at full height and without load restrictions. For rough terrain: With their large platform, scissor lifts have a higher load capacity than other platform types. They can lift up to 4 people for demanding tasks. Platform extensions offer additional reach and workspace. Their straight elevation makes them very easy to handle. Thanks to their high clearance and slope capability, rough terrain scissor lifts operate on the roughest terrains. Outriggers provide maximum stability. Some scissor lift offers an electric alternative to diesel for rough terrain worksite, allowing for indoor work with zero emissions and silence.
**A Range Extender: lPULSEO scissor lifts can accommodate a removable and interchangeable Range Extender between other models of the PULSEO Range. The Range Extender allows independence from the electrical grid by recharging the batteries on-site. The operator maintains full machine capabilities during this ultra-fast charge, or can be done during a break.
PRESS CONTACT:
Laure de Longevialle (Equans France) : +33 (0)6 62 34 71 77 - laure.de-longevialle@external.equans.com
Carine Ploton (Haulotte) : cploton@haulotte.com
About Equans France Group
Rooted in over a century of history, Equans, a subsidiary of the Bouygues group, is a global leader in the energy and services sector. In France, thanks to Ineo, Axima, and Bouygues Energies & Services, the group has a strong local presence, reflecting its commitment to proximity. Its 35,000 employees in France support their clients in improving and optimizing their equipment, systems, and technical processes to meet the challenges of the triple transition: energy, industrial, and digital. Equans leverages a high level of expertise and technology with the ambition of making a significant contribution to a low-carbon and resilient world. Electrical engineering, climate control, refrigeration, fire safety, facility management, IT and telecommunications, digital solutions: Equans’ complementary expertise in France combines a unique range of multi-technical skills for project design, construction, and installation as well as for operations and maintenance services. Operating in 20 countries, with 90,000 employees working across 5 continents and 2023 annual revenue of 18.8 billion euros, Equans connects, produces, powers, and protects the energy and data of territories, cities, buildings, factories, and infrastructures every day. Following the same dynamic, its subsidiary Equans France achieved revenue of 7.1 billion euros in 2023 and operates in nearly 30 different countries.
About H2SYS
Since 2017, H2SYS has been designing and developing hybrid hydrogen generator solutions, hydrogen fuel cells, and educational systems for training purposes. It markets several standard products ranging from 5 to 130 kVA and also works on custom designs for OEMs. A winner of the French Tech 2030 and France 2030 programs, and a member of BPI Excellence, H2SYS is expanding in the French and international markets to support its clients in their decarbonization goals.
About Roth H2
RotH2, a French leader in ultra-high-pressure gas storage, develops turnkey storage modules adapted to hydrogen. The company produces tanks that can withstand pressures of up to 1000 bar, as well as eco-friendly refueling stations. It positions itself as a key player in the hydrogen sector, a vital link between production and end-use. RotH2 is certified as an innovative company by BPI France.
