A US automaker will use Plug Power hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cells at a new electric vehicle manufacturing facility due to go into operation in 2025.

Nasdaq-listed Plug Power says the facility’s entire materials handling fleet, including forklifts and tuggers, will run on Plug fuel cells.

The vehicle manufacture was not named but Plug says its new auto manufacturing campus will be one of the largest of its kind in the United States.

The 6 sq. mi. (15.5 sq km) campus will be dedicated to electric vehicles and batteries.

In addition to the fuel cell fleet, the agreement includes on-site hydrogen infrastructure, including two liquid hydrogen storage tanks and more than 10 hydrogen dispensers to prepare for the expansion of hydrogen applications.

"This new partnership further strengthens our track record of success in the automotive industry, marking a significant leap in promoting sustainability within the sector," says Andy Marsh, Plug chief executive officer. 

Plug’s hydrogen fuel cells are a direct replacement for any battery solution in electric forklifts.

Throughout 2024, Plug will undertake the installation and commissioning of the hydrogen infrastructure in preparation for the automaking facility's planned debut in the first quarter of next year. 

In other news, Plug has extended its partnership with packaging supplier Uline, finalising an agreement to supply hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell solutions at Uline’s new campus in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The expanded partnership includes the integration of on-site hydrogen infrastructure with the installation of a 18,000-gallon hydrogen storage tank and 17 hydrogen dispensers to service four distribution centres within the campus. 

The partnership also includes the addition of 250 fuel cell forklifts that will operate on hydrogen generated on-site through Plug’s state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Plug’s hydrogen infrastructure to support the entire campus is set to be commissioned and fully operational within the next ten months, with the first new distribution centre in the campus slated to be completed this year. Uline plans to construct three more buildings over the next several years as part of the strategic campus build out.

Plug and Uline have been collaborating since 2015, beginning with Uline’s distribution centre near Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.

Over the past eight years, Uline has used Plug’s fuel cell solutions in its operations, operating 270 fuel cell forklifts between their six facilities. 

With this expanded partnership, Uline will operate a total of 520 fuel cells and 34 dispensers across ten facilities, making them one of the largest Plug customers.