Close menu




February 20th, 2023 | 13:53 CET

Hydrogen bankruptcy? These are the laughing third parties: Plug Power, Amazon, First Hydrogen

  • Hydrogen
  • greenhydrogen
  • Solar
  • fuelcell
Photo credits: pixabay.com

Hydrogen is not a foregone conclusion. The bankruptcy of the truck specialist Clean Logistics shows: Hype topics, in particular, must be solidly financed. We look at which niche investors can still invest with a clear conscience, which markets promise growth in the future and where hydrogen can also boost portfolios. We present three exciting companies.

time to read: 3 minutes | Author: Nico Popp
ISIN: PLUG POWER INC. DL-_01 | US72919P2020 , AMAZON.COM INC. DL-_01 | US0231351067 , First Hydrogen Corp. | CA32057N1042

Table of contents:


    Plug Power: Juggling many challenges at once

    The hydrogen specialist Plug Power is a real jack-of-all-trades: Having a joint venture with Renault called Hyvia around light commercial vehicles as well as the logistics giant Amazon as an investor and partner is already a house number. But Plug Power has even more to offer. The Company is also working with the South Korean company SK E&S and wants to build a plant for the production of fuel cells in the port city of Incheon. Production is scheduled to start in 2024. South Korea is considered a hydrogen country. Hyundai already has a series-produced vehicle with fuel cell drive in the form of Nexo. As a cooperation partner, Plug Power benefits from its numerous joint ventures - in case of doubt, blood is thicker than water, and orders from the Company's extended circle of influence are very likely.

    Nevertheless, Plug Power's shares have had a black year: over six months, they have lost around 45% of their value. When even big players have to give ground, it is no wonder that smaller startups without significant collaborations slip into insolvency in a challenging market environment. Since the share has stabilized and Plug Power is well positioned on the market as a jack-of-all-trades, the value remains a kind of blue chip in the sector. Expansion into Europe is also conceivable for Plug Power. That the market on the "old continent" is becoming increasingly transparent is not a disadvantage for Plug Power.

    First Hydrogen: More than just vans

    First Hydrogen is also well-positioned in the market. The Canadian company specializes in building light commercial vehicles powered by hydrogen. First Hydrogen is also planning to expand into Europe and has valuable collaborations, such as Ballard Power and AVL Powertrain. Test vehicles will be on the roads of Great Britain in a few weeks. Potential customers will be able to test the possibilities of lightweight hydrogen commercial vehicles under real conditions. At the same time, the Company is benefiting from numerous support programs. As the Company is also involved in the production of hydrogen and filling stations, it has the opportunity to access various subsidies. Currently, major economies are engaged in a race to see who can best promote green energy.

    First Hydrogen, Robert Campbell on Feb 15, 2023 at the 6th IIF

    While many hydrogen stocks took a beating in 2022, First Hydrogen enjoyed impressive success - the stock climbed almost from penny-stock levels to over CAD 5. The stock has since consolidated and is trading around CAD 4. Given the various projects and the opportunity to cover the hydrogen business along the entire value chain, experienced investors may see the stock as a speculative addition. More background is provided in a recent post from researchanalyst.com.

    Amazon: The main thing is green!

    Amazon shows that hydrogen is important for many companies from traditional industries. The retail giant wants to give itself a green image. Many of the roofs of Amazon's logistics centres are already covered with PV modules. The energy generated there could either be consumed directly in the form of electricity or turned into green hydrogen through electrolysis. Examples such as First Hydrogen and Nikola show that delivery trucks can drive well with it and are also suitable for fuel cells. Nevertheless, investors in Amazon are hardly benefiting from the hydrogen fantasy - the traditional business is too big. After the stock was under a little pressure weeks ago due to economic fears, confidence has returned: the worst of the sell-off seems to be over, and the share should soon be trading at triple digits in USD again. For hydrogen investors, Amazon is more attractive as a potential customer or joint venture partner. First Hydrogen delivery trucks bringing packages from Amazon? That could fit!

    PV systems are now part of the package for Amazon - soon hydrogen delivery trucks too? Source: Amazon

    When investing in hydrogen stocks, investors still need to keep the general sentiment in mind. Emerging interest rate fears are currently making investors more cautious again. Still, sentiment is much better today than in 2022, and if financing conditions improve for the foreseeable future, hydrogen stocks may even rebound. Smaller companies like First Hydrogen are well positioned to do so. But evergreens like Plug Power are also worth considering for investors.


    Conflict of interest

    Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") may hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies in the future or may bet on rising or falling prices and thus a conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the right to buy or sell shares or other financial instruments of the Company at any time (hereinafter each a "Transaction"). Transactions may, under certain circumstances, influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.

    In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual relationships.

    For this reason, there is a concrete conflict of interest.

    The above information on existing conflicts of interest applies to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH for publications on companies.

    Risk notice

    Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and the like on news.financial. These contents are exclusively for the information of the readers and do not represent any call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price developments. The contents do not replace individual expert investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the discussed share(s) or other financial instruments, nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

    The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but a journalistic or advertising text. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis of the information provided here do so entirely at their own risk. No contractual relationship is established between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the investment decision of the reader or user.

    The acquisition of financial instruments involves high risks, which can lead to the total loss of the invested capital. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors is based on careful research. Nevertheless, no liability is assumed for financial losses or a content-related guarantee for the topicality, correctness, appropriateness and completeness of the content provided here. Please also note our Terms of use.


    Der Autor

    Nico Popp

    At home in Southern Germany, the passionate stock exchange expert has been accompanying the capital markets for about twenty years. With a soft spot for smaller companies, he is constantly on the lookout for exciting investment stories.

    About the author



    Related comments:

    Commented by André Will-Laudien on October 21st, 2025 | 07:35 CEST

    Gold USD 4,300 and Silver USD 53 – Buying frenzy at Silver North, First Majestic, Nel ASA, and JinkoSolar

    • Mining
    • Silver
    • Gold
    • renewableenergies
    • Solar
    • Energy

    Silver has been shorted by many investment banks for several years because sufficient supply was available from Mexico and other producing countries. The tide has turned. Over the past 12 months, the precious metal has caught up with its big brother gold, gaining 54%. There are several reasons for the scarcity-driven rally: there are only around 250 active silver mines worldwide, compared to around 1,400 gold mines. In addition, silver has massively expanded its importance as an industrial metal: it is indispensable in high-tech, e-mobility, defense, and medical technology. As a result, less and less physical silver is available to investors, while inventories on the futures markets continue to decline. Now is the time to take a position in silver. Alongside industry giants such as First Majestic, Silver North is among the most promising beneficiaries of the new silver boom.

    Read

    Commented by André Will-Laudien on October 17th, 2025 | 07:10 CEST

    E-mobility and hydrogen take off – BYD, Nio, Graphano Energy, and Plug Power in focus!

    • Mining
    • graphite
    • Electromobility
    • Hydrogen
    • Fuelcells
    • renewableenergies

    The German government is resolutely driving forward the transition to e-mobility by 2035 - a clear signal at a time when climate targets and energy dependence are the subject of intense debate. The market for electric vehicles is benefiting from innovations in battery technologies and a growing charging infrastructure. Advances in solid-state batteries, silicon anodes, and new cathode materials are significantly increasing range, performance, and safety. Faster charging times and longer service life are making the switch increasingly attractive for consumers. At the same time, recycling processes and the circular economy are gaining in importance to conserve resources and promote sustainability. With government support and growing competition, enormous opportunities are emerging for manufacturers and investors. But while electromobility is booming, hydrogen is also increasingly becoming the focus of the energy transition as a complementary technology. Investors are free to decide where to invest for the best returns.

    Read

    Commented by Armin Schulz on October 15th, 2025 | 07:15 CEST

    How your portfolio can benefit from the green energy boom with Nordex, RE Royalties, and JinkoSolar

    • royalties
    • renewableenergies
    • Solar
    • GreenTech

    Winners despite turbulent times: As the global energy transition gains momentum, a future market worth billions is emerging. Ever-larger wind turbines, more cost-effective solar modules, and an explosive growth in demand for green electricity are driving the revolution. Innovative companies that produce, finance, or supply clean energy are at the heart of this boom. Three promising players have already positioned themselves and could benefit directly: Nordex, RE Royalties, and JinkoSolar.

    Read