In a UK first, forklift trucks and other vehicles at the giant Marks & Spencer distribution site in Bradford are to be powered by hydrogen fuel for a trial period.

The leading retailer will use cutting edge hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in its warehouses at the 1.1million sq ft Prologis Park site in a six-week project in association with Sheffield company ITM Power. Fuel cell technology will replace battery-powered vehicles with ITM supplying on-site hydrogen generation equipment.

Darrell Stein, M&S director of IT and logistics, said: “We are excited to be trialing this solution with a company like ITM Power, and with a technology which has the potential to drive significant carbon reductions from our warehouse operations.

“If we’re to achieve our ambitious goal of becoming the world’s most sustainable major retailer then we must continue to innovate and push the boundaries in every part of our business.”

Graham Cooley, ITM Power chief executive, said: “The involvement of companies such as M&S is essential to developing commercially viable hydrogen solutions for the materials handling industry. We are extremely pleased to be conducting this trial with M&S.”

The trial forms part of the M&S Plan A eco and ethical programme, which aims to make M&S the world’s most sustainable major retailer by 2015.

Energy storage and clean fuel company ITM Power sees the £13 billion global market for material handling materials as a key target for its hydrogen with fuel cells.

Spokesman Charles Purkess said hydrogen could be made and easily stored in mobile units; usage could be monitored like conventional fuel such as diesel and hydrogen was cheaper and cleaner and provided a better performance than batteries.