Wal-Mart completes test of hydrogen-powered lift trucks

Drivers say fuel cells perform well and are easy to use.

-- Modern Materials Handling, 1/3/2007

Wal-Mart has successfully completed beta trials of hydrogen-powered lift trucks in two of its Ohio distribution centers. The trials involved Crown and Nissan lift trucks powered by CX-P150 fuel cells from Cellex Power Products.

"We really put these Cellex-powered vehicles to the test in our pallet truck applications and they did the job," says Johnnie Dobbs, Wal-Mart's executive vice president of logistics and supply chain. "Our pallet truck operators were most pleased with the performance and the ease of use. We now understand that operationally this new technology can be utilized in this application."

During the four-month trial, 12 lift trucks worked in continuous operation, logging more than 18,500 hours of active work.

According to Cellex, the following are highlights from the beta trials:

• Increased productivity: The fuel cells improved productivity through longer run times and shorter fueling times compared to lead acid batteries.
• Reduced fueling time: Lift truck operators fueled their trucks in less than 2 minutes.
• Space savings: The indoor fuel dispensing area took up 200 square feet, compared to 4,000 square feet for a lead acid battery room.
• Increased operator satisfaction: Operators preferred the hydrogen-powered unit over lead acid batteries due to its consistent power, ease of fueling and flexibility to opportunity fuel.
• Quick training and orientation: Operators were fully trained within half an hour. In all, more than 100 operators and service technicians received training during the beta program.

Cellex's vice president of marketing, Tom Hoying, says the company is in discussion with Wal-Mart over the retailer's future plans for fuel cell technology. An announcement of the companies' next steps, he says, is expected within a few months.

For more information about hydrogen fuel cell technology, watch Modern's Webcast, "The next generation of lift truck productivity."