DR Powertrain System, a German-Chinese system integrator, and ElringKlinger and Plastic Omnium’s joint venture, EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, have agreed to collaborate on the development of fuel cell systems using EKPO stacks for the Chinese market.
DR Powertrain Systems plans to use the German stacks in both automotive and non-automotive systems made by local manufacturers. Nearby Shanghai, EKPO’s Suzhou site in China will serve as a regional hub for FC activities in the region.
For the current collaboration, the NM5 and NM12 stacks from EKPO’s catalog will be used as the foundation. Power density in the cell block can reach up to 6.2 kW/l and output can reach 205 kW in pressurized mode, according to the company’s announcement. It is DR Powertrain’s goal to introduce a new generation of stack-based system solutions. Jiaxing, China, is home to this Sino-German joint venture. Series production of fuel cell systems and BOP components with outputs ranging from 5 to 120 kW has already begun at the manufacturer.
