Westport Fuel Systems is investing up to $10m (£8.3m) in a global manufacturing facility in Changzhou Hydrogen Valley, China.
A Hydrogen Innovation Centre and Manufacturing Facility is to be built in partnership with the city of Changzhou.
Westport will make the investment over the next 10 years to enable the production of established hydrogen componentry to support China’s hydrogen-fuelled mobility targets. The facility is planned to be in operation in 2024.
Under the agreement, Westport will design and construct an ‘ultra-modern’ manufacturing facility for hydrogen fuel systems, and office space specifically to meet Westport’s advanced manufacturing requirements.
David M. Johnson, CEO of Westport Fuel Systems, said the company’s GFI-branded hydrogen fuel system components support both fuel cell and internal combustion engines that use hydrogen fuel.
He added, “The city of Changzhou is dedicated to becoming the capital of new energy industries, making them an ideal partner for growth.”.”
Westport wants to expand its global manufacturing footprint in China in support of future growth of its hydrogen componentry business and other alternative fuel cell system technologies.
The facility will support its current customer base with key hydrogen components for a variety of applications including commercial vehicles, buses, high-speed trains, material handling and stationary power generation.
The innovation centre at the site will provide continued focus on hydrogen solutions in support of Westport’s mission to develop innovative, specialised and market-ready emission reduction solutions.
Huan Heng, Deputy Mayor of Changzhou, said, “Changzhou Hydrogen Valley is an important hub in advancing hydrogen-fuelled vehicles for China and the world at large.”
Westport claims it is focusing on China for this manufacturing expansion as the country ‘leads the world’ in hydrogen investment and infrastructure development.
Last year, Westport unveiled its Hydrogen HPDI Fuel System, the technology enables heavy-duty trucks to operate on hydrogen with improved power, torque, efficiency and performance as diesel engines while meeting global emissions regulations.
