Looking back at 2021 and the strides that hydrogen and fuel cells have made over the last year reveals what our readers decided were the most read stories.
For many in the world, hydrogen and fuel cells are the future and yet for others, top of mind is that pure electric battery vehicles will win out in the race for world dominance. The truth is that there is room for both technologies and 2021 proved to many skeptics that hydrogen and fuel cell technology is here to stay and growing.
2021 Top Stories in FuelCellsWorks Chosen by our Readers
1. Toyota Mirai Breaks World Distance Record for a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle
On Wednesday May 26 from the HysetCo hydrogen station in Orly, the Toyota Mirai driven by Victorien Erussard and members of Toyota Motor Europe and Toyota France, traveled 1,003 km.
Compliant in every way with the marketed model, this Mirai thus broke the record for the distance covered by a fuel cell vehicle with a single charge.
2. First 100% Hydrogen EOX Electric Tractor Sold By H2trac
City Farm Almere has purchased the very first electric-powered tractor with a hydrogen range extender. The EOX-175 is unique in the world and has all kinds of special features such as variable track width, GPS steering, and four-wheel drive.
3. New Hydrogen Fuel Cell-Powered Fast Chargers
The debate between hydrogen-powered and battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) has lasted years and doesn’t seem to be subsiding anytime soon. As this dispute continues, two companies have recently announced something of a hybrid approach. Hydrogen fuel cell producer AFC Energy has teamed up with ABB to make fuel cell-powered fast chargers for EVs.
4. Hyzon: Heavy Duty Vehicles-Hydrogen vs Diesel
Although hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have been around since the 1960s, only in the last decade have they emerged as a potential solution to decarbonize heavy transport.
It’s the same, but better
Operating a hydrogen fuel cell truck or bus is comparable to a conventional vehicle, offering fast refuelling and a similar pay load and driving range, yet importantly fuel cell vehicles are zero emission, more energy efficient and provide a smooth and near silent driving experience.
5. Cummins Hydrogen Power Takes Flight
Cummins Hydrogen power takes flight in world’s first hydrogen-powered aircraft. For hydrogen power, the sky is no longer the limit — it’s the starting point. With new hydrogen air applications, hydrogen-powered aviation has proven is within reach and Cummins is a part of it.
6. HYZON Motors to Offer Autonomous-Drive Zero-Emission Hydrogen Powered Trucks
Hydrogen mobility and clean energy company, HYZON Motors (“HYZON”) has announced an agreement with AIDRIVERS Ltd (“AIDRIVERS”), a leading autonomous mobility company, to develop an integrated vehicle platform to produce autonomous zero-emission trucks, buses and coaches for off-road industrial mobility operations.
7. New Catalyst Moves Seawater Desalination, Hydrogen Production Closer to Commercialization
- Fast, One-Step Assembly at Room Temperature Yields High Efficiency at Low Cost
University of Houston–A team of researchers led by Zhifeng Ren, director of the Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH, has reported an oxygen evolving catalyst that takes just minutes to grow at room temperature and is capable of efficiently producing both clean drinking water and hydrogen from seawater.
8. Fuel-Cell Truck Startup Hyzon Agrees to Merge With Decarbonization Plus SPAC
Hyzon Motors Inc., a fuel-cell truck startup, has agreed to go public via a merger with Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corp., according to people with knowledge of the matter.
The special purpose acquisition company has held discussions about raising new equity to support the transaction that values the combined entity at more than $2 billion, some of the people said, requesting anonymity because the talks are private. A deal could be announced within the next week.
9. Nuvera: Hydrogen Is the New Diesel
As the world moves toward net-zero carbon in all energy-consuming sectors, the International Energy Agency and many other organizations, countries, and corporations consider hydrogen an essential component of the emerging energy mix and a viable alternative to diesel, the conventional fuel used worldwide for medium- and heavy-duty surface transport.
10. Reports: Plug Power New ‘Gigafactory’ to be Located in Rochester Area
According to multiple reports in the media, Plug Power is reportedly expanding, getting ready to launch its new “gigafactory” in Rochester NY.
According to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Plug Power is reportedly moving into the Rochester are with its new hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing plant.
Looking Forward to 2022
We are looking forward to 2022 as hydrogen and fuel cells are set to expand even further than 2021. Companies in various sectors are looking to use hydrogen and specifically green hydrogen.
The “fuel of the future” is no longer the future but here and now.
At FuelCellsWorks, we look forward to bringing you all of the hydrogen fuel cell news as comprehensively as possible.
Thank you to all our readers and members who continue to make our news platform the top H2 news platform in the world.
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