Oct. 23, 2007 Wal-Mart has purchased fuel cells to power the lift trucks at its food distribution center in Washington Court House, Ohio. The fuel cells will replace the lead-acid batteries normally used on pallet trucks.

Wal-Mart placed the order for the GenDrive fuel cell power units from Plug Power, Inc. The companies would not disclose how many units were purchased, although Plug Power says it's the largest order they've received for GenDrive units to date.

The order follows a successful beta trial at two Wal-Mart distribution centers in Ohio in late 2006. During that trial, the 12 fuel-cell-powered pallet trucks operated in live working conditions for four months.