London, UK and Seattle, USA – October 4, 2023 – Today, First Mode, the leading pioneer of clean energy solutions for heavy industry, announced the addition of two new electrified retrofits to its suite of decarbonization solutions for mining and rail haulage. As heavy industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, First Mode’s trio of electrified products will enable an innovative feedforward approach for customers to convert and accelerate the decarbonization of their existing fleets.

“The world is racing to reduce carbon emissions, and the minerals mined, moved, and transformed by heavy industry are key to the global clean energy transition,” said First Mode CEO Julian Soles. “At First Mode, we recognize this pressing yet complex need, and we are committed to empowering our customers to not only decarbonize their fleets but also boost their operational efficiency as service demands rise.”

First Mode’s retrofit product line is offered through its Path to Zero™ program, which provides customers stepwise options for beginning, progressing, and succeeding on their path to zero emissions haulage — with solutions that now include:

  • Hybrid EV Retrofit: First Mode’s Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Retrofit adds a First Mode regenerative battery to the customer’s existing diesel-powered vehicle to immediately reduce its carbon emissions by up to 30 percent. With no additional infrastructure required, this solution captures energy from regenerative braking and stores it until needed — serving as the key first step for customers on their decarbonization journey.
  • Battery EV Retrofit: First Mode’s Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Retrofit also leverages regenerative braking but completes the platform conversion into a fully electrified powertrain solution by removing the diesel engine entirely. When paired with a multi-megawatt charging system, the Battery EV Retrofit represents a breakthrough innovation in heavy-industrial decarbonization.
  • Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV Retrofit: Building on the success of First Mode’s partnership with Anglo American to develop the world’s largest fuel cell electric vehicle, the DT74 proof-of-concept truck, this next-generation solution converts an existing diesel-powered vehicle into a clean liquid hydrogen-powered vehicle. When combined with First Mode’s high-speed liquid hydrogen refueling system and clean hydrogen sourcing program, the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Retrofit delivers a diesel-free vehicle with a refueling frequency comparable to its diesel counterpart.

“The First Mode Path to Zero™ program uniquely pairs cutting-edge technology and engineering with best-in-class global supply and hardware manufacturing to ensure minimal operational disruptions for our customers as they transition to clean energy,” said Rhae Adams, Chief Growth and Sustainability Officer and a co-founder of First Mode. “Our solutions also meet our customers where they are with support that is tailored to their needs — from the characteristics of each haulage route to their specific decarbonization goals.”

As the industrial sector plays an ever-increasing role in the global clean energy transition, it is imperative that it also address its polluting outputs, which account for a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions. First Mode’s decarbonization solutions offer a means for the industrial sector to reduce its carbon footprint today, enabling a cleaner and more sustainable world tomorrow.

Demonstrations of the Hybrid, Battery, and Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV Retrofits are expected in 2024. To attend these demonstrations and discover how the First Mode Path to Zero™ program unlocks decarbonization for heavy industry, please contact us.

About First Mode
First Mode develops and manufactures decarbonization solutions for heavy industry partners dedicated to the clean energy future. With a product mix of vehicle retrofits that enable diesel hybrid, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell systems, we accelerate mining and rail fleets on their Path to Zero™. Our full solutions suite, including infrastructure and haulage systems innovations, proves decarbonization is possible even in constrained environments — for people and planet. Learn more at www.firstmode.com.

Media Contact
Amy Pearson-Wales
amy.pearson-wales@firstmode.com