Shares of Plug Power (PLUG) plummeted 5.08% in pre-market trading on Tuesday, as investors grappled with concerns over the company's substantial cash burn rate and uncertain path to profitability. The hydrogen fuel cell technology pioneer has been facing persistent challenges in its quest to achieve sustainable operations.

Despite Plug Power's optimistic outlook for the future, including plans to reach profitability by late 2028, the company's current financial situation appears to be weighing heavily on investor sentiment. The company reported a negative gross margin of 55% in the first quarter, with a net loss of $196.7 million. More alarmingly, Plug Power's cash burn rate suggests it may only have enough funds to operate for two more quarters at the current pace.

While Plug Power has secured additional financing, including a $1.6 billion loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy and a $525 million credit facility, the company may still need to raise more capital in the future. This potential for further dilutive stock offerings could be contributing to the downward pressure on the stock price. As Plug Power continues its journey towards profitability, investors seem to be adopting a cautious stance, leading to today's significant drop in share value.