On August 16, a delivery and strategic signing ceremony of FAW Jiefang-REFIRE Group-BESTPATH hydrogen fuel cell vehicles was held at REFIRE Group with the theme of “Gathering Energy to Revitalize New Hydrogen Leaders and Blueways”, in which 100 FAW Jiefang fuel cell heavy-duty trucks equipped with REFIRE Group’s fuel cell system were officially delivered to BESTPATH (Shanghai) IoT Technology Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as BESTPATH), marking the largest vehicle delivery of a single demonstration consortium of Shanghai fuel cell vehicle demonstration application so far and a good start for Shanghai fuel cell vehicle demonstration application.
From there, three companies also indicated their wish to cooperate on expanding the application and marketing of fuel cells in commercial vehicles, and signed a strategic cooperation agreement on site to jointly deploy more than 1,000 fuel cell vehicles over the next 3 years.
Strategic signing ceremony among FAW Jiefang, REFIRE Group, and BESTPATH
Delivery ceremony for 100 fuel cell vehicles
Guests present included Li Feng, Deputy Head of Jiading District, Xie Dongsheng, Director of Jiading District Commission of Science and Technology, Ge Yanyan, Deputy Director of Jiading District Economic Commission, Chen Xin, Deputy Director of Jiading District Commission of Science and Technology, Wu Wenhua, Deputy Head of Jiangqiao Town; Wu Bilei, General Manager of FAW Jiefang and Deputy Secretary of Party Committee, Zhang Guohua, Deputy Secretary of Party Committee and Chairman of Trade Union of FAW Jiefang, Ji Yizhi, General Manager of New Energy Division of FAW Jiefang, Li Yufeng, Deputy General Manager of New Energy Division of FAW Jiefang, Pei Guoquan, Deputy General Manager of New Energy Division of FAW Jiefang; Robin Lin, Chairman and CEO of REFIRE Group, Hu Zhe, COO of REFIRE Group; Liu Kefei, General Manager of BESTPATH; and Liu Kecheng, General Manager of Sinopec Hydrogen Energy (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Li Feng said, “I’m glad to be witness to deepened strategic cooperation among REFIRE Group, FAW Jiefang and BESTPATH in promoting fuel cell vehicles, and I believe that your earnest efforts will yield greater advances. The fuel cell vehicle industry system of Jiading District has been gradually improved premised on the in-district automotive industry cluster. It is believed that such leading enterprises as REFIRE Group will continue to demonstrate leadership and enhance the capability of achieving technological breakthroughs, thereby assisting Jiading District in seizing the initiative in hydrogen energy development by dint of scientific and technological innovations.”
Li Feng, Deputy Head of Jiading District, delivered a speech
The 100 18-ton fuel cell heavy-duty trucks delivered were jointly developed by REFIRE Group and FAW Jiefang. The vehicle is equipped with Prisma 12 + 130kW fuel cell system from REFIRE Group, with five hydrogen cylinders placed on both sides of the frame in a new layout, and a cargo capacity of up to 64 cubic meters. This vehicle features fast hydrogen refueling, low noise, low hydrogen consumption, zero emission, and longer mileage compared with traditional fuel trucks and pure electric logistics vehicles. It can be used by express and e-commerce end customers for suburban and intercity distribution.
Robin Lin said on site that this ceremony started a new journey for REFIRE Group to team up with partners in the industry chain to build a hydrogen ecosphere and promote fuel cell applications. Three companies will continue to leverage their strengths to jointly unclog the industrial closed loop, ensure the deployment of 1,000 fuel cell vehicles in the next three years, and provide a constant impetus for the fuel cell vehicle demonstration application.
Robin Lin, Chairman and CEO of REFIRE Group, addressed the event
During the first phase of Shanghai fuel cell vehicle demonstration application, an aggregate of 350 fuel cell vehicles that weigh 4.5 tons to 49 tons developed by REFIRE Group together with original equipment manufacturers including FAW Jiefang, will be put into commercial operation, serving multiple terminal clients including IKEA, JD.com, SF Express, SECCO, etc. in varied transportation scenarios, and thus contributing to zero-carbon transportation and logistics.
Wu Bilei pointed out that FAW Jiefang, as a pioneer of the national automotive industry and leader of China’s commercial vehicle industry, has always been earnestly implementing national policies, and unswervingly fulfilling political, economic and social responsibility as a central government-owned enterprise. Today, when 100 FAW Jiefang hydrogen fuel cell vehicles were successfully delivered, it marked the opening up of a new chapter for low carbon, green and transformative development of China’s commercial vehicle industry. FAW Jiefang hydrogen fuel cell vehicles boast advantages of “a higher degree of quality, comfort and safety, and low hydrogen consumption”, expediting the smart and international development of commercial vehicles and creating the new normal for the industry. Moreover, the vehicle acts as a positive catalyst for Shanghai’s sustainable development as a low-carbon and green city, thus providing a spur to the transformation of China’s commercial vehicles to be new energy-powered.
Wu Bilei, General Manager of FAW Jiefang and Deputy Secretary of Party Committee, delivered a speech
Liu Kefei noted at the event that BESTPATH, the vehicle operator, has devoted years of hard work to the hydrogen ecological chain and logistics scenario operation. It has now successfully established a vehicle-station-scenario coordinated eco-model for the hydrogen energy industry with REFIRE Group and Sinopec Hydrogen Energy (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. This strategic cooperation with REFIRE Group and FAW Jiefang represented an opportunity for BESTPATH to seek advances in hydrogen energy application. In the future, BESTPATH will band together with partners to scale up fuel cell vehicles in a wider extent in more diversified scenarios.
Liu Kefei, General Manager of BESTPATH, made a speech
Concerted efforts will be made to build hydrogen ecology on a new journey. The three companies will deepen cooperation in technologies and products, in achieving breakthroughs in key technologies, key equipment and supporting technologies that cramp the development of commercial fuel cell vehicles, and in improving technical standards on vehicles and fuel cells. In virtue of their strengths, they will make joint efforts to explore a sustainable business model, cultivate the fuel cell market, accelerate the large-scale application of commercial fuel cell vehicles, and further long-term stability and sustainability of fuel cell vehicle applications.
About REFIRE
Headquartered in Shanghai with a footprint spanning several global markets, REFIRE is the world’s leading deployer of commercial hydrogen fuel cell technologies. The company specialises in the design, testing, prototyping, application engineering, and production of electrolyser products and integrated fuel cell systems for buses, trucks, specialised vehicles, power machines, stationary power and decentralised grid power products.
As of 2023 Q1, REFIRE fuel cell technologies and products are powering over 4,200 fuel cell vehicles (FCEV) in daily use in 20+ cities around the globe. Combined vehicle mileage exceeds 145 million kilometres.
Media Inquiries:
Tel.: +86 21 6025 7133
Email: media@refire.com
Website: www.refire.com
Presskit: www.refire.com/en/presskit