Pure Hydrogen wins maiden US$1.22m North American purchase order for two hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

Pure Hydrogen’s H-Drive International wins US$1.22m purchase order from US company Nutcher Hydrogen
6X4 prime mover and FC120C coach to be used as demonstrator vehicles
The maiden North American order represents a significant opportunity for the brand in one of the world’s largest addressable markets

Special Report: Pure Hydrogen’s majority owned hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle company H-Drive International has received a US$1.22m purchase order for two vehicles from a North American dealership.

Pure Hydrogen (ASX:PH2) had in July secured a 60% interest in H-Drive, to better position itself in the hydrogen sector as inroads are made into heavy and commercial transport.

H-Drive oversaw the build and delivery of the Taurus hydrogen fuel cell prime mover for Pepsi Co.

It is also in the final stages of delivering one of the first HFC prime mover and refuse collection vehicles in Australia to JJ Richards Waste, the largest privately-owned waste management company in the country.

H-Drive also develops battery electric vehicles and had in September secured a $700,000 order to supply two BEV mini-buses to Sapphire Coast Buslines in NSW during 1Q 2024.

Image: hydrogen fuel cell prime mover. Image: Supplied.

“Large addressable market” for HFCEVs

Under the deal with California-based Nutcher Hydrogen – a dealership specialising in supplying sustainable heavy fleet, machinery and equipment to heavy transport customers — H-Drive will supply a 6X4 prime mover and FC120C coach.

Both vehicles are due for delivery during 1H 2024 and will be used as demonstration vehicles by Nutcher Hydrogen.

The order is also the first into North America and represents a significant opportunity for the brand in one of the world’s largest addressable markets.

“This order substantiates our belief that there is large addressable market for clean hydrogen fuel cell technology, not only in Australia but throughout the world,” managing director Scott Brown said.

“We are very pleased to be building a US-compliant hydrogen fuel cell prime mover and coach, as demonstrator models for North America’s Nutcher Hydrogen. Nutcher Hydrogen is an established and highly regarded dealer of cutting-edge hydrogen electric technology and is a stockist of leading brands including Nikola.

“We congratulate Nutcher Hydrogen for recognising the potential our H-Drive offering, featuring the highest quality components and parts from market leading global suppliers.

“It’s pleasing to see H-Drive receiving recognition in offshore markets and an Australian-designed hydrogen fuel cell electric heavy vehicles as a viable solution for transport operators globally in their efforts to reduce emissions sooner.”

Nutcher Hydrogen managing director Bob Nutcher said the order complements his company’s current product line.

“While electrification makes sense for passenger vehicles, including light commercial vehicles in some cases, it doesn’t work for heavy transport because the weight of the batteries required to power the truck would significantly negate the vehicle’s payload,” Nutcher said.

“Nutcher H2 has had a great interest from potential customers for H-Drive vehicles in both Class 8 trucks, buses, and waste collection vehicles, they share similar values to ourselves when it comes to decarbonizing the transport network and making the world free from emissions.

“If we are serious about reducing our impact on the environment, it is important that we embrace and seek to understand this hydrogen technology and help develop it for the US conditions as well as help to develop the support networks for it, such as service and repair expertise and the vital refueling infrastructure which Nutcher H2 can provide.

“This can only be done with real-world use of this technology from H-Drive International. Nutcher Hydrogen is all about first steps – this is a step in the right direction.”

This article was developed in collaboration with Pure Hydrogen, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.