Hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles might be on the verge of disrupting commercial transportation.
What’s happening:
- First Hydrogen (TSXV:FHYD) has begun a month long pilot project with gas distribution company Wales and West Utilities to use First Hydrogen’s hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles
- The initial trial will aim to see if hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles are capable of supporting the long distance, heavy payload operations of Wales and West Utilities across Wales and southern England
Why it matters:
- Hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles have become an increasingly exciting area of opportunity amidst the energy transition, both for being a zero emissions vehicle and for their long range capabilities and quick refuelling times
By the numbers:
- First Hydrogen’s long range commercial vehicle has a range of 600 kilometres
- Refuelling their flagship commercial vehicle model takes just 10 minutes
Going deeper:
- Finding suitable commercial electric vehicles can be a challenge for companies, as many don’t have the range, recharging time, payload capacity or significant towing ability that is necessary to see full adoption
- Electric commercial vehicles also have to deal with charging station infrastructure, which hydrogen powered vehicles do not
- First Hydrogen’s partnership with West and Wales Utilities will also collaborate with multiple mobile refuelling companies to be able to refuel their hydrogen powered commercial vehicles quickly and across a variety of different locations
The intrigue:
- West and Wales Utilities is aiming to fully decarbonize all of their operations to get to net zero emissions as quickly as possible and has building out significant infrastructure around renewable energy projects such as wind and solar
