Plug Power Inc., an energy solutions provider specializing in hydrogen and fuel cell technology, has signed a cooperative memorandum of understanding with Zhangjiagang Furui Special Equipment Co. Ltd., along with a Chinese industrial vehicle manufacturer identified as one of the “big three” Chinese automakers, to develop new fuel cell applications and fueling solutions to be utilized in the expanding industrial electric vehicle (EV) market in China.
Under the terms of the agreement, the three companies will collaborate to build EVs equipped with Plug Power-designed hybrid fuel cell engine systems and hydrogen fueling station solutions.
Plug Power and its partners will form a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) development project team and utilize their substantial financial and research and development resources for a large-scale demonstration project.
As reported, near-term deliverables for the program include two industrial delivery truck prototypes, both using Plug Power’s ProGen fuel cell engines, by March 2017, with a short-term projection for more than 500 vehicles and a fueling station network to be deployed in the Shanxi province over the following year.
Based on the acceptance of the first 500 units, the program goal is to deploy 13,500 commercial FCEVs over three years, with a widespread fueling station network, Plug Power says.
“China has made hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles a key component of the country’s Energy Revolution Program, which includes over $100 billion in investment and runs through 2030,” says Andy Marsh, Plug Power’s CEO. “As a result, China is projected to be the largest mobile fuel cell market in the world within the next two to three years. Developing a widespread hydrogen fueling system across China is critical for successful continuation of the country’s adoption of green-vehicle technology.”
