First Hydrogen has announced the launch of its new hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) program for North America following successful trials in the U.K.
The Vancouver, Canada, and London, U.K.-based company says it plans to develop two additional FCEVs for potential North American fleet customers while continuing its trial program in the U.K.
It adds that its FCEV trials have demonstrated that hydrogen power is essential for meeting the range, payload towing, and fast refueling needs of fleet operators in sectors like grocery, parcel delivery, mining, and utilities, where battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) fall short.
The North American demonstrator program is a step toward First Hydrogen’s goal of establishing a vehicle assembly facility and green hydrogen production plant in Shawinigan, Quebec. Its “Hydrogen as-a-Service” model aims to provide customers in the Montreal-Quebec City hub with clean green hydrogen fuel and zero-emission commercial vehicles to promote zero-emission solutions.
According to the firm, the assembly facility will aim for an annual production of up to 25,000 vehicles for distribution throughout North America, contributing to green technology jobs in the region.
The company announced that Stéphane Gagnon, with over 30 years of experience, will lead the North American development program. Gagnon will work closely with Steve Gill, Head of Automotive, and his team.
“It is important for us to share our knowledge gained from the development of the two U.K. FCEVs as we add FCEVs in Quebec,” Francois Morin, VP of Development – North America at First Hydrogen, said. “The additional FCEVs build momentum as we move forward with the hydrogen production and vehicle assembly plant in Shawinigan.”
