Loop Energy, a designer and manufacturer of H₂ fuel cells for commercial mobility, will extend its presence in Europe later this month by expanding into the UK. The facility will be in Grays, Essex, near an increasing group of manufacturers aiming to decarbonize road transport, including Tevva Motors.

Loop Energy has already started to recruit for the roles at the new facility, with employees assisting in the areas of production support, customer support and inventory.

The move is in reaction to growing customer demand for Loop Energy’s fuel cells in continental Europe and the UK, where diesel and petrol vehicles will begin to be banned in 2030.

Diesel and petrol heavy goods vehicles made up 18% of all road emissions in 2019, amounting to 19.5 metric t CO₂e, according to UK government data. Loop Energy has raised $100 MM so far, towards decarbonizing the commercial vehicle sector.

The market for zero-emissions commercial vehicles continues to evolve quickly and Loop Energy is well positioned to provide its technology and expertise to help OEMs and others decarbonize the transportation industry.

“We are excited to open a new facility in the UK, where both the private and public sector is quickly growing around decarbonizing commercial vehicles. We were pleased to see the UK government’s recent commitment to the hydrogen sector, with the Business Secretary’s pledge to unlock £9bn investment needed to make hydrogen a cornerstone of the UK’s greener future,” said Loop Energy President and CEO, Ben Nyland.

“Our investment commitment for the UK market is strategic to serve both UK and the rest of Europe. We expect to service a truck and bus market size upwards of $15 B over the next 2 to 3 years, and our UK facility is established as the localized support center for these vehicles. Our investments to the UK will grow in lockstep with the growth of our local OEM customers, and our investment strategy will align with the timing and volume of our ecosystem partners as the industry ramps up supply to this market. We also believe that the UK’s strong pool of manufacturing and design talent will help take Loop to the next level in its growth story.”

“Hydrogen is likely to be fundamental to cutting emissions across some of our largest forms of commercial transport – from buses to heavy goods vehicles. As the world shifts to cleaner transport, it is critical we embed a UK supply chain that can capture the economic opportunities of hydrogen technology,” said UK Business Minister, Lord Callanan.

“Loop Energy’s expansion in Essex is fantastic news for the region, bringing green jobs and growth, while adding to the UK’s reputation as a leader in hydrogen and fuel cell research.”