Fuel Cells: Plug Power to provide Kroger with GenDrive fuel cells

Plug Power Inc., a leader in providing clean, reliable energy solutions, today announces it has added Kroger Co. to its growing list of GenDrive customers. Plug Power will supply 161 GenDrive fuel cells to Kroger’s food distribution center in Compton, Calif. The order includes 4 class-1 units for sit down counterbalanced trucks, 42 class-2 units for reach trucks and 115 class-3 units for pallet trucks.

With this partnership, Kroger will power its fleet of electric lift trucks with GenDrive fuel cells. Because GenDrive is fueled with hydrogen, the only byproducts created through the electrochemical energy-conversion process are heat and water.

Plug Power and Kroger have developed a hydrogen fueling infrastructure, placing compact dispensers strategically throughout the facility. Lift truck operators can fuel the GenDrive units themselves in as little as sixty seconds. Once fueled, trucks resume activity on the facility floor, moving products. Productivity improvements can be expected as the electric lift truck operates at full power as long as fuel is supplied.

“Kroger tested our GenDrive product and saw clear benefits to its operations which led them to engage with Plug Power on a full conversion of their facility,” said Andy Marsh. “Plug Power’s customers are leaders in the industry; forward-thinkers working toward building better, more efficient and more sustainable businesses for its customers, employees and communities. Kroger fits that mold perfectly.”

Environmentally conscious business operations with a positive economic impact are at the forefront of decision-making in the material handling industry. And, Plug Power’s GenDrive product is helping sustainably-progressive customers, such as Kroger, take charge of its greenhouse gas emission footprint.

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