Haulotte and Equans experiment with decarbonizing worksites under real conditions

A decarbonized Haulotte aerial work platform is being used to carry out the external insulation of a social housing building.

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.

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.

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.