First Mode
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2023) |
 | |
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial services |
| Founded | March 14, 2018 in Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Founder |
|
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Products |
|
Number of employees | 175 (2024) |
| Website | firstmode |
First Mode is a multinational decarbonization company that designs, manufactures, and distributes hybrid battery systems and hydrogen fuel cell technologies for heavy duty mining and rail vehicles, along with hydrogen refueling equipment. The company has operations in Australia, Europe, North America and South America.
It won Fast Company’s 2023 World Changing Ideas awards for the creation of the world's largest operating hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle.[1]
History
[edit]First Mode was founded on March 14, 2018 in the Seattle, Washington area by 11 former members of asteroid mining company Planetary Resources.[2]
First Mode partnered with mining corporation Anglo American plc in 2019, signing a three-year agreement to develop a diesel alternative for the company's fleet of mining haul trucks.[3]
On May 6, 2022, First Mode and Anglo American debuted the world's first and largest hydrogen-powered mine haul truck at the Mogalakwena platinum mine in South Africa with a converted Komatsu 930E Haulpak truck.[4] It successfully completed operational trials in May 2023.[5]
In January 2023, First Mode and Anglo American announced the signing of a $200 million binding agreement to combine First Mode with the Anglo American nuGen team, thereby making Anglo American the majority shareholder.[6] The two companies also signed a supply agreement for First Mode to provide Anglo American with several additional hybrid powerplant retrofit kits for mining haul trucks.[2] These are slated to be demonstrated on Komatsu 930E and 830E platforms in early 2024.[5]
In December 2024, First Mode filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after being unable to find a buyer for its assets. The company plans to sell its assets and wind down operations through support from Angelo American.[7]
See also
[edit]- Carbon neutrality
- Climate change mitigation
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Energy transition
- Energy Efficiency
- Carbon footprint
- Low-carbon economy
- Sustainable Development Goals
References
[edit]- ^ Peters, Adele (2 May 2023). "This massive zero-emissions truck can help shrink mining's footprint". Fast Company. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- ^ a b Mittge, Brian (20 June 2023). "Heavy-duty hydrogen". Washington Business Magazine. pp. 26–28. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ^ Conroy, Bill (18 December 2019). "First Mode Inks $13.5M Contract to Develop Green Technologies for Mining Giant Anglo American". Seattle Business Magazine. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ^ Chen, Adeline (6 October 2022). "The world's first hydrogen-powered haul truck could help clean up the mining industry". CNN. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ^ a b Moore, Paul (July 2023). "An orchestrated ecosystem". International Mining. pp. 42–44.
- ^ "Anglo combines nuGen™ Zero Emissions Haulage Solution with First Mode". Mining Review Africa. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ^ Soper, Taylor (December 17, 2024). "First Mode files for bankruptcy in sudden downfall for clean trucking company". GeekWire. Retrieved December 19, 2024.