Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - First Hydrogen Corp. (TSXV: FHYD) (OTC PINK: FHYDF) (FSE: FIT) ("FIRST HYDROGEN" or the "Company") reports its hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered delivery van vehicle (FCEV) has been well received by the United Kingdom's largest energy infrastructure company, SSE PLC. For the past two weeks, the FCEV has been used by SSE drivers for their day-to-day tasks around Aberdeen, Scotland. Initial comments by SSE drivers praise the Company's FCEV for its range (500+ km), easy and smooth drivability.
Will Hannaford, driver for SSE says: "First Hydrogen's van is very pleasing to drive and is much smoother than my diesel vehicles. The zero-emission van will obviously improve the environmental impact of our day-to-day operations, but it has the additional benefit of performing well in city driving and recharging its battery during use, which gives it an impressive range."
SSE driver Angus Burrows adds: "Having learnt about operating a hydrogen-powered vehicle in the pre-trial training, I was excited to use the First Hydrogen's van. It was also exciting to see how much work had gone into developing the vehicle and my enthusiasm has continued throughout the trial - I still find myself speaking about the vehicle in my day-to-day conversations!"
First Hydrogen's FCEV can travel further on a single tank of fuel than equivalent battery electric vehicles (BEV) on a single charge and can carry heavier loads without compromising on range. With fast refuelling - approximately 5 minutes compared to 5 hours for BEV charging - it also means more vehicle "uptime" i.e., longer periods that the vehicle can be on the road.
The vehicle will be closely monitored throughout the trial via onboard instruments. This helps First Hydrogen's engineers to understand fuel consumption, mileage, and vehicle performance in different conditions. It also enables them to keep track of the vehicle's use, location, and status in real-time to keep the drivers and vehicle safe.
SSE currently operates one of the largest fleets in the UK and has already pledged to switch 2,500 of its vehicles to electric and install charging points for its 11,000 employees to use. SSE vehicles work in a wide variety of operational roles and conditions, from maintaining the electricity network spanning central southern England and the north of Scotland, to navigating the diverse and challenging environments of its hydro and onshore wind farm sites.
Ronnie Fleming, chief procurement officer at SSE, added: "In line with our commitment to net zero and EV100 pledge to electrify our fleet, we're keen to explore all alternative fuel options. It's been really interesting to see the vehicle in action, for our drivers to experience how it operates in practice and for our fleet managers to evaluate how hydrogen vehicles could fit into our future fleets should the infrastructure further develop."
Steve Gill, CEO for First Hydrogen Automotive, explains: "We see the future of zero emissions transport as a mix of technologies to suit different vehicle types and usage, with fleets comprising hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric vehicles. We are thrilled to be operating in Aberdeen, which is already championing hydrogen use and is establishing good infrastructure. Trialling the van in the Northeast of Scotland will help us to demonstrate how hydrogen vehicles can carry larger payloads and to compare operational performance in scenarios where BEVs are currently used. Data collected during the trial will help us to optimize the vehicle, demonstrate its capabilities for future customers and inform further development."
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Ian Yuill says: "Aberdeen has been working for more than ten years to position itself as a leading city in bringing hydrogen technology to the market. Our city is genuinely a world-leader in the delivery and the use of hydrogen as a fuel. Hydrogen is here now and is providing an important part of the transport mix in our city. We welcome the decision by SSE to trial First Hydrogen's vehicle in Aberdeen and wish them every success in adding hydrogen technology to their day-to-day operations."
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First Hydrogen FCEV at a hydrogen refueling station in Aberdeen, Scotland
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About First Hydrogen Corp. (FirstHydrogen.com)
First Hydrogen Corp. is a Vancouver and London UK-based company focused on zero-emission vehicles, green hydrogen production and distribution and supercritical carbon dioxide extractor systems. The Company has designed and built hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered light commercial demonstrator vehicles ("LCV") under two agreements with AVL Powertrain and Ballard Power Systems Inc. The LCV has a range of 500+ kilometres. These vehicles are being trialled with an initial 16 fleet operators in the United Kingdom. At the same time, the company has launched its bespoke vehicle design phase which will develop its fleet of proprietary zero-emission vehicles. First Hydrogen is also developing refueling capability working with FEV Consulting GmbH, the automotive consultancy of FEV Group of Aachen Germany. The Company is also pursuing opportunities in green hydrogen production and distribution in the UK, EU and North America.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of
FIRST HYDROGEN CORP.
"Balraj Mann"
Chairman & Group CEO
Contact:
Balraj Mann
First Hydrogen Corp.
604-601-2018
investors@firsthydrogen.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains information or statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.
Forward looking information may include, without limitation, statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives, milestones, strategies and outlook of First Hydrogen, and includes statements about, among other things, future developments and the future operations, strengths and strategies of First Hydrogen. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results.
The forward-looking statements made in this news release are based on management's assumptions and analysis and other factors that may be drawn upon by management to form conclusions and make forecasts or projections, including management's experience and assessments of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Although management believes that these assumptions, analyses and assessments are reasonable at the time the statements contained in this news release are made, actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Examples of risks and factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from forward-looking statements may include: the timing and unpredictability of regulatory actions; regulatory, legislative, legal or other developments with respect to its operations or business; limited marketing and sales capabilities; early stage of the industry and product development; limited products; reliance on third parties; unfavourable publicity or consumer perception; general economic conditions and financial markets; the impact of increasing competition; the loss of key management personnel; capital requirements and liquidity; access to capital; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; the impact of COVID-19; shifts in the demand for First Hydrogen's products and the size of the market; patent law reform; patent litigation and intellectual property; conflicts of interest; and general market and economic conditions.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of First Hydrogen as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. First Hydrogen undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
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