First Hydrogen Confirms with North American Fleet Owners Demand for Hydrogen Vehicles

Rhea-AI Summary

First Hydrogen Corp. announces the results of a North American market study highlighting the demand for hydrogen-powered-fuel-cell light commercial vehicles, with an estimated 6 million vehicles and expected growth to over 8 million units by 2035. The emerging green hydrogen market is expected to grow to US$1.4 trillion per year by 2050. The global hydrogen fuel cell vehicles market is projected to grow from US$1.5 billion in 2022 to US$62.9 billion by 2032, at 45.2% CAGR. The company's FCEV trials have shown advantages over battery electric vehicles in range, payload towing, and fast refueling capabilities, with a range over 630 kilometers (400 miles), ahead of the 193 kilometers (120 miles) WLTP minimum range requirement of the zero-emission mandate.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 16, 2024) - First Hydrogen Corp.  (TSXV: FHYD) (OTC Pink: FHYDF) (FSE: FIT) ("FIRST HYDROGEN" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of a North American market study prepared by Sacré Davey Engineering Inc. ("Sacrè-Davey"). The report highlights demand for First Hydrogen hydrogen-powered-fuel-cell light commercial vehicle ("FCEV") in North America is estimated at 6 million vehicles with demand expected to grow to over 8 million units by 2035 due to zero emission requirements.

First Hydrogen commissioned Sacrè-Davey for a hydrogen market study to establish the Shawinigan, Québec-based facilities dedicated to the assembly of the Company's FCEV and production of green hydrogen. According to Deloitte's report (Green hydrogen: Energizing the path to net zero. Deloitte's 2023 global green hydrogen outlook), the emerging green hydrogen market is expected to grow to US$1.4 trillion per year by 2050.

Sacré-Davey surveyed 104 fleet operators and owners from various industries (telecom, construction, food distribution, beverages, energy and utilities, forestry, governments and freight transport) regarding their interest for zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles (classes 2 to 4). Based on 2021 Canadian and U.S. registration numbers, an estimated 6+ million light commercial vehicles in North America can be replaced by hydrogen-powered vehicles ("LCV"), such as the Company's FCEV.

Polaris Market Research reported the global hydrogen fuel cell vehicles market is projected to grow from US$1.5 billion in 2022 to US$62.9 billion by 2032, at 45.2% CAGR. Governments such as Canada have released final regulations mandating all new passenger cars, SUVs, crossovers, and light trucks sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, phasing out the sale of gas and diesel vehicles. This mandate will exponentially accelerate the adoption of Hydrogen Fuel cell commercial vehicles as the best way for businesses to reach their zero carbon objectives.

First Hydrogen's FCEV trials have shown its' advantages over battery electric vehicles in range, payload towing and fast refueling capabilities. The FCEV has achieved a range over 630 kilometres (400 miles), ahead of the 193 kilometres (120 miles) Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure ("WLTP") minimum range requirement of the zero-emission mandate.

Balraj Mann, Group CEO and Chairman of First Hydrogen, said, "The Sacré-Davey study and survey confirm the market for FECVs for fleet operators and owners presents an exceptional opportunity for our company. With Canada eliminating gas and diesel vehicles by 2035 and the United States establishing upto 10 hydrogen hubs, the Company's Hydrogen-as-Service can contribute to the zero-emission vehicle and green hydrogen markets."

 
First Hydrogen
 
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About First Hydrogen Corp. (FirstHydrogen.com)

First Hydrogen Corp. is a Vancouver, Montreal and London UK-based company focused on zero-emission vehicles, green hydrogen production and distribution. The Company has designed and built hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered light commercial vehicles ("FCEV") in partnership with AVL Powertrain and Ballard Power Systems Inc. The FCEV has a range of 630+ kilometres. These vehicles are being trialled with fleet operators in the United Kingdom. First Hydrogen is also developing a 35MW green hydrogen production facility and vehicle assembly factory in Shawinigan, Quebec.

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; and conflicts of interest.

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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FAQ

What is the estimated demand for hydrogen-powered-fuel-cell light commercial vehicles in North America?

The estimated demand is 6 million vehicles, with expected growth to over 8 million units by 2035.

What is the projected growth of the global hydrogen fuel cell vehicles market?

The market is projected to grow from US$1.5 billion in 2022 to US$62.9 billion by 2032, at 45.2% CAGR.

What are the advantages of First Hydrogen's FCEV over battery electric vehicles?

The FCEV has shown advantages in range, payload towing, and fast refueling capabilities, with a range over 630 kilometers (400 miles).

What is the range requirement for zero-emission vehicles?

The minimum range requirement is 193 kilometers (120 miles) according to the WLTP.

Who commissioned the hydrogen market study for First Hydrogen?

First Hydrogen commissioned Sacrè-Davey for the hydrogen market study.