Ballard Power Systems will supply 30 fuel cell modules with a total capacity of 3 megawatts to First Mode to convert diesel dump trucks to combined hydrogen-battery propulsion. The converted dump trucks will operate at First Mode’s test site in Centralia, Washington State.

“Every one of the Ballard fuel cell modules that First Mode retrofits into an ultra-class haul truck means an immediate reduction in diesel fuel use and moving the mining industry another step closer to decarbonization,” says First Mode CEO Julian Soles.

The companies say that the conversions will save approximately 2,600 tons of diesel fuel annually.

“The mining industry annually contributes up to 7 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions and roughly half of these emissions come from mobile diesel applications, including haul trucks, “says Ballard COO David Mucciacciaro.

First Mode entered into an agreement with mining and resources company Anglo American in January 2023 to retrofit more than 400 dump trucks with its nuGen solution and associated infrastructure. Anglo American in turn invested 200 million dollars in First Mode.