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GM targets to expand hydrogen fuel cell market beyond vehicles

By Arghyadeep on Jan 20, 2022 | 03:30 AM IST

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• GM said the availability date and price for the generators would be announced later

• The company is pushing for green hydrogen, which would help reduce the production cost

General Motors Co (NYSE: GM) on Wednesday said it plans to broaden its hydrogen fuel cell business beyond vehicles by supplying Hydrotec, its hydrogen-powered generators for uses at construction sites, data centers, military, and even for emergency power supply.

The emissions-free generators will be designed to power large commercial systems would help GM leverage and scale existing hydrogen investments and refine the technology.

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“Think of places where you don’t have a permanent installation for power generation, but you need clean power sources,” Charlie Freese, executive director of GM’s Hydrotec business, said on a call with reporters.

However, the company also foresees that the smaller generators could be used for home use in the future.

GM’s hydrogen business

GM didn’t mention anything on the revenue it expects to generate from the new business and said an availability date and price for the generators would be announced later.

The Hydrotec generators will be produced at Fuel Cell Systems Manufacturing, a joint venture of GM with Honda in Brownstown, Michigan. 

Utah-based Renewable Innovations will produce the bigger modular Empower rapid charger in Salt Lake City, which will start next year.

As part of its Hydrotec business, GM earlier announced a collaboration with truck maker Navistar International Corp, locomotive developer Wabtec Corp, and aerospace equipment manufacturer Liebherr Aerospace.

Push for green hydrogen

Hydrogen fuel, which is obtained by passing electricity through water to split the element from oxygen, has been hyped by companies and governments as a way to cut carbon emissions.

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However, most hydrogen is currently produced is termed “gray hydrogen” as electrolyzers that conduct electricity is powered by natural gas or other fossil fuels. To produce “green hydrogen” with the help of renewable energy sources is four times costlier.

Freese said GM’s goal is to increase the use of green hydrogen to help the costs come down.

He also mentioned that the company is also looking to work with infrastructure providers to install more local hydrogen production systems and reduce costly hydrogen transportation.

Picture Credit: CNBC

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