H2 View understands the initiative hopes to identify and sign up fleet operators interested in participating its planned European trials for its light commercial vans, expected to commence in early 2024 in Germany and France.
The company has said the planned expansion will see its activities include developments in Germany, Benelux, Eastern Europe, France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, adding to First Hydrogen’s key personnel in Germany, Austria, Spain and the Benelux region.
It is hoped the move will support European goals of reducing greenhouse gas intensity within the transport sector by at least 16% by 2030.
In May (2022), First Hydrogen announced it was set to begin operational testing of its hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicle based on a MAN eTGE, equipped with Ballard Power Systems’ fuel cells.
Read more: Testing to begin on First Hydrogen’s fuel cell van
Additionally, First Hydrogen has said it will be looking to identify and develop green hydrogen production opportunities, in addition to reviewing national distribution network plans to establish how the company could contribute to planned networks.
Last month (August 2022), the Canadian and UK headquartered company announced plans to expand its green hydrogen production capacity into North America, initially targeting the Canadian market.
Read more: First Hydrogen to establish North American green hydrogen production
Nicholas Wrigley, Chairman of First Hydrogen UK, said, “The European Union policy framework and commitment to hydrogen is now in place and represents a significant opportunity for First Hydrogen’s total solution business model of providing fleet vehicles and hydrogen as a service.”
Steve Gill, CEO of First Hydrogen Automotive, added, “We are able to quickly move into Europe by harnessing the expertise of our senior executives based in the EU and leveraging the work already competed in the UK with our initial demonstrator vans. Similar fleet trails are planned in the EU as planned with multiple major fleet operators in the UK. Our vans are offering industry-leading range, rapid refuelling and performance.”
Robert Campbell, CEO of First Hydrogen Energy, commented, “We are very encouraged to now see such strong support for green hydrogen in Europe and North America. These developments underpin our business plans for years to come.”