Bridgestone Firestone’s plant in Aiken County, S.C. is replacing traditional battery-powered forklifts with ones powered by hydrogen fuel cells. A hydrogen fuel pump is being installed across from the plant that will be used by Bridgestone Firestone as well as other surrounding businesses.The plant is exchanging 23 forklifts this year and 20 in 2009 to create an all-hydrogen fleet.

The company is already using hydrogen fuel cells to run industrial vehicles at other facilities. The plant began working with Plug Power on a prototype fuel cell project in January 2007.

Last year, Wal-Mart concluded fuel cell-powered pallet truck beta trials at two of its Ohio-based distribution center.