Oct. 1, 2009 (United Press International) -- A company the produces hydrogen fuel cells says the second-largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States will begin using hydrogen-powered forklifts.

Plug Power said in a press release Thursday 40 clean-running forklifts would enter service early next year at Coca-Cola Consolidated in Charlotte, N.C.

The vehicles will run on Plug's GenDrive fuel cell solution and will lower the company's greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 30 percent, the company said.

The forklifts will be able to handle the workload and run at full power throughout their shifts, which will maintain the company's productivity. Plug said fuel cells also do not require recharging, which eliminates down time and also the need to set aside space in the warehouse for the recharging equipment and parked forklifts.