First Hydrogen Reports a 630km Range During SSE Trial

First Hydrogen reports a 630km range during SSE trial.

First Hydrogen Corp. (TSXV: FHYD) (OTC Pink: FHYDF) (FSE: FIT) (“FIRST HYDROGEN” or the “Company“) reports its hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered vehicle (FCEV) has achieved a range of 630km on a single refueling during its recent fleet trial with UK utility, SSE Plc (SSE). The feedback from the drivers was consistently positive. SSE driver feedback commented that it is “quiet”, “smooth”, and “pleasing to drive” with automatic transition.

Furthermore, SSE drivers found the range capability to be extremely impressive and remarked that the First Hydrogen vehicle behaves more like a diesel vehicle in terms of range, but without the environment damaging emissions.

The FCEV continued to successfully execute the longer routes SSE undertook demonstrating it is compatible with existing infrastructure. The team noted that refuelling took a matter of minutes when recharging.

During the trial, SSE predominantly drove the First Hydrogen vehicle on major roads in Aberdeen, Scotland. Light traffic conditions in the region enabled the vehicle to run at maximum speed limits, when safe to do so, for longer periods than it had done previously. Even when running at consistently higher speeds the vehicle maintained good fuel efficiency, consuming an average of 1.58kg H₂/100m.

During most of the journeys undertaken, the FCEV maintained its battery at maximum charge by regenerating from braking i.e., the amount of kWh the battery charged and discharged was comparable, which is testament to the efficiency of First Hydrogen’s onboard energy management system.

This data suggests that overall vehicle performance is even better than expected, as it exceeds the results set in pre-trial commissioning tests, especially when driven at constant speed as less braking and accelerating means less fuel is consumed. For several journeys, the FCEV drove fully loaded one way and was part loaded on the return. SSE drivers noted that heavier loads did not noticeably decrease vehicle speed, reduce vehicle range, or affect fuel cell performance.

SSE is the first utility business to road test First Hydrogen’s FCEV. As one of the UK’s largest energy infrastructure companies, SSE has an established a Net Zero Action Plan and has recently increased investment in renewables and its electricity networks to £18 billion. In 2019, SSE committed to transitioning over 3,000 fleet vehicles to electric by 2023, and already it has over 1,100 full EVs in its fleet.

Simon Gray, Head of Fleet Services at SSE plc, says:

SSE is focussed on enabling, harnessing and deploying new technologies and innovations which can accelerate the journey to net zero.

“This trial period in Aberdeen has provided us with real-world insights into the performance of a hydrogen vehicle, a level of understanding that just isn’t possible from test data alone. By gaining firsthand knowledge of the van’s use in day-to-day scenarios, the feedback from this trial will be invaluable when considering if hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles could fit into our fleets of the future.”

Steve Gill, CEO of First Hydrogen Automotive, comments:

Working with such an enthusiastic team at SSE meant we were able to undertake different routes and see the vehicle perform in driving conditions it has not experienced before.

“We are thrilled that these initial results which are helping us to build a true picture of the vehicle’s capabilities. The trial data shows efficient performance from the fuel cell and suggests that heavier payloads and consistent driving at higher speeds do little to diminish range.

We have welcomed SSE’s enthusiasm for the trial and how receptive the team is to innovation, especially in the net zero space. The strength of this partnership means we are exploring opportunities to return to Scotland for a winter trial to test the vehicle’s performance in colder temperatures where hydrogen is expected to offer advantages over other zero emission technologies.”