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BAE Systems and Plug Power Inc. have announced a strategic structure agreement.
Plug Power and BAE Systems will partner under the agreement to provide zero-emissions powertrains to heavy-duty transit bus OEMs in North America by incorporating Plug Power’s ProGen fuel cell engines into BAE Systems’ smart electric drive systems, as well as provide hydrogen and refueling networks to end-customer usage points.
The companies are advancing a groundbreaking total solution for hydrogen-powered electric buses through this all-encompassing strategic alliance, which aims to accelerate the implementation of zero-emissions transit throughout the country.
Both companies have extensive global market knowledge and track records in the field of electric mobility. BAE Systems is a recognized pioneer in power management and efficient propulsion, with over 13,000 electric drive systems in use around the world.
Since 1998, the company has incorporated fuel cells into its electric propulsion systems, making it an early proponent of hydrogen-based transit. With over 40,000 fuel cell systems installed over the last 20 years, Plug Power is the world’s leading manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cell engines, with modular ProGen fuel cell engines ranging from 30kW to 125kW available for OEM integration.
Plug Power has installed more hydrogen refueling stations than any other organization and has been the world’s largest buyer of liquid hydrogen as part of its mission to deliver integrated hydrogen solutions and an unrivaled value proposition to its customers. Green hydrogen’s resilience, performance, and cost advantages are now being brought to more cities in North America and beyond by these companies combining their complementary capabilities.
Despite hydrogen’s unique value proposition for high-utilization vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles are becoming more widely accepted as a viable mobility solution for urban transportation networks. Hydrogen-electric powertrains enable transit fleets to operate cleanly, quietly, and effectively over longer distances than battery-electric vehicles, all while maintaining the lowest total cost of ownership. Unlike electric trams or electric vehicles, which require extensive route infrastructure, hydrogen fuel cell buses can refuel easily at city fleet facilities with hydrogen dispensers.
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