Air Liquide signs contract to supply Canada’s largest fleet of green forklifts.

Air Liquide was recently awarded a contract to supply the hydrogen, filling station and infrastructure to power Walmart’s new fleet of green lift trucks at the company’s new distribution centre located in Alberta, Canada. The fleet is the first of its kind supplied by the Air Liquide group and constitutes the largest deployment of fuel cell lift trucks in Canada.

Fuel cell fork lift trucks represent the faster growing segment of the hydrogen energy market. Not only are the vehicles greenhouse gases emission free, but they also offer a 2% productivity gain over battery powered forklifts.

François Darchis, Senior Vice President of the Air Liquide Group, and a member of the Executive Committee, commented, “We are very pleased to provide the hydrogen and filling infrastructure for this first fleet in Canada. It is another step towards the global market Air Liquide has been anticipating.”

Darchis added, “We are proud to accompany the development of this technological innovation that will help to preserve the environment. Both Energy and the Environment are growth drivers of the Air Liquide Group.”

As contracted, Air Liquide Canada, will be responsible for hydrogen supply and the design of a material handling solution. In addition, it will integrate indoor hydrogen dispensers across Walmart Canada’s distribution centre - which will produce a daily capacity of 100kg and fill vehicles in under two minutes.