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English Español First deployment at scale of hydrogen for material handling in the UK

Plug Power is providing UK-based supermarket Asda with hydrogen fuel cell solutions to power the lift truck fleet within the retail giant’s supply chain network.



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Author: PetrolPlaza Correspondent Pablo Plaza

Plug Power Inc., a leading provider of zero emission hydrogen engines and fueling solutions enabling e-mobility, is providing UK-based supermarket Asda with hydrogen fuel cell solutions to power the lift truck fleet within the retail giant’s supply chain network in the United Kingdom.

Asda’s partnership with Plug Power includes a purchase order agreement for Plug Power’s full-service GenKey solution, beginning at the UK facility in Skelmersdale. Plug Power will supply 44 GenDrive fuel cells and build a hydrogen fueling station for Asda.

This new customer continues Plug Power’s growth in Europe – the company will now have equipment operating in Belgium, France, Germany and the UK - and represents the first deployment at scale of hydrogen fuel cell technology for material handling within the United Kingdom.

“Their focus on making their organization more environmentally-friendly makes Asda an ideal partner, and we’re optimistic that this deployment is just the start of a long and fruitful relationship,” said CEO of Plug Power, Andy Marsh.

“There are good reasons why Walmart, which has been a leader in supply chain innovation for decades, has chosen to build the largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric vehicles in the world. We’re eager to realize the proven environmental and productivity benefits of fuel cell adoption in our operations at Asda," said General Manager of the Asda Skelmersdale Distribution Center, Darren Pettener.

Founded in 1949, Asda currently ranks as the UK’s third-largest supermarket retailer with a market share of over 15 percent, and annual revenues of more than £20 billion. Asda is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the multinational retailer Walmart Inc.

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