Unprecedented global demand for clean transportation systems is putting a spotlight on the fuel cell industry. It’s becoming clear that the possibilities for achieving widespread fuel cell vehicle are limitless. This is true for virtually every mode of transportation – commercial, industrial, light-duty – including non-road sectors such as marine, aviation and rail. As the fuel cell industry transforms and expands, it is positively impacting everything from environmental progress and sustainability to the well-being of communities to the bottom line of logistics companies, transit agencies and port operations.

In other words, there is a lot to celebrate! And it just so happens that now is the perfect time.

10.08: National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day

Nuvera is among the fuel cell leaders observing National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day on October 8. This date was chosen in recognition of the atomic weight of hydrogen: 1.008.  This year’s fifth annual celebration is especially exciting for us as we launch the Nuvera® 45 kW Fuel Cell Engine and ramp up production for use in the U.S., Europe, China and elsewhere.

National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is part of a campaign to raise awareness of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies in the U.S. and around the world. The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), of which Nuvera is a founding member, spearheaded recognition for this day. FCHEA represents leading companies and organizations that are advancing innovative, clean, safe, and reliable energy technologies.

“The industry has grown tremendously since we first celebrated National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day five years ago,” said Morry Markowitz, president of FCHEA. “From a few dozen demonstration fleets of fuel cell vehicles, we now have thousands on the road from several leading automakers. More than 28,000 fuel cell-powered forklifts are operating in warehouses across the country.”

Nuvera, with its parent company Hyster-Yale Group, has introduced fuel cell-powered forklifts to boost productivity in warehouses, distribution centers and factories. In 2003, Nuvera was the first fuel cell provider to join the Industrial Truck Association.

International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Congress

Ahead of National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, Nuvera President Jon Taylor gave a speech at the Fourth International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Congress (FCVC) on September 26 in Rugao, China. FCVC is jointly organized by the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA) and the Society of Automotive Engineers of China (SAE-China).

Since 2016, FCVC has connected hydrogen fuel technology developers, vehicle makers, investors and policy makers to accelerate fuel cell vehicle commercialization. This year, nearly 2,000 delegates attended the event.

Approximately 2,500 fuel cell vehicles have been deployed in China to date, chiefly buses and logistics trucks – a huge accomplishment for the country. China has the most ambitious fuel cell vehicle roadmap of any country in the world, and plans to deploy one million fuel cell vehicles by 2030. It’s one of the many reasons Nuvera is thrilled about the current and future work being done in China.

Jon Taylor’s presentation at FCVC highlighted Nuvera’s achievements so far in 2019. The Nuvera® 45 kW Fuel Cell Engine is the basis for Nuvera’s entry into China. Nuvera’s engine is already powering a city bus currently in road test, and will also be used to power other commercial medium- and heavy-duty vehicles such as container handling equipment at shipping ports. Nuvera is currently finalizing the construction of its fuel cell stack and engine manufacturing facility near Hangzhou. The factory is being constructed to manufacture and assemble Nuvera fuel cell engines for Chinese ‘New Energy Vehicles’.

Nuvera is excited about our future in China, and we are invested in it as well. We have the core elements in place to succeed in the Chinese market – technology, experience, and capabilities – but we can only succeed by having the right partners and focusing on the right priorities:

High Quality – Identifying, testing, integrating and validating components is crucial.

High Volume – Comes from automating our manufacturing process, both at our headquarters and at our new facility in China.

Low Cost – Another reason we’ve built our own factory in China, and why supply chain is so important.

The fuel cell industry has a lot to celebrate, and Nuvera looks forward to celebrating even greater accomplishments and milestones in the months and years to come. National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day gives us cause to reflect – and then to move on with our latest initiatives by building on what we and others in the industry have achieved, led by the customers we serve.

Happy National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day!

PS: Check out our Careers page – Nuvera is hiring!