Plug Power Inc., a global leader in hydrogen solutions for the green hydrogen economy, has partnered with Carreras Grupo Logístico to launch Spain's first hydrogen-powered logistics site. The project, located at Carreras’ logistics center in Masquefa, Barcelona, will focus on demonstrating the advantages of Plug's fuel cell technology. This collaboration aims to transition from lead-acid battery-powered forklifts to hydrogen fuel cells, supporting Carreras’ efforts to decarbonize and enhance operational efficiency.

The green hydrogen-powered forklifts will bring significant benefits, including improved energy efficiency, increased productivity, and reduced operational costs. This shift aligns with Carreras’ sustainability goals, contributing to a lower carbon footprint. The Masquefa site will serve as a pilot project to validate the performance and advantages of Plug’s hydrogen fuel cell technology over traditional battery-powered systems. The insights from this test site will inform future decisions about expanding the technology to other Carreras facilities across Spain, where the company operates 46 warehouses.

If successful, Plug Power will provide Carreras Grupo Logístico with a complete green hydrogen ecosystem. This will include hydrogen fuel cells, a 1 MW electrolyzer, and a hydrogen refueling station to ensure a continuous, sustainable supply of green hydrogen. “We are thrilled to partner with Carreras Grupo Logístico in launching Spain's first hydrogen-powered logistics site,” said Plug CEO Andy Marsh. “This collaboration showcases the transformative potential of hydrogen solutions, helping Carreras achieve both decarbonization and operational improvements in their logistics network.”

Hydrogen fuel cells offer numerous advantages over lead-acid batteries. Forklifts powered by fuel cells can be refueled in minutes, reducing downtime compared to the hours required for battery recharging. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cells require less maintenance, lowering long-term operational costs. By adopting this technology, Carreras will benefit from enhanced efficiency while contributing to Spain's decarbonization efforts.

The global market for hydrogen-powered forklifts is gaining momentum, with companies like Amazon and Walmart already using thousands of hydrogen fuel cell forklifts in their logistics operations. These companies have reported significant productivity gains and cost savings, further highlighting the potential of hydrogen technology in logistics. Carreras Grupo Logístico, through its partnership with Plug Power, is set to become a key player in this growing trend, paving the way for hydrogen-powered logistics in Spain.

Plug Power is building a comprehensive green hydrogen ecosystem that spans production, storage, delivery, and energy generation to help its customers achieve their business objectives while contributing to decarbonization. Plug Power, as a trailblazer in the development of the first commercially viable market for hydrogen fuel cell technology, has deployed more than 69,000 fuel cell systems and set up over 250 fueling stations globally. This makes Plug the industry leader and the largest purchaser of liquid hydrogen in the world.

With ambitious plans to develop a green hydrogen highway across North America and Europe, Plug has constructed a cutting-edge Gigafactory to produce electrolyzers and fuel cells. The company is also developing several green hydrogen production plants, with plans to achieve commercial operation by the end of 2028. Plug provides its green hydrogen solutions directly to customers and through joint ventures, targeting various sectors such as material handling, e-mobility, power generation, and industrial applications.