EKPO secures series production contract for fuel cell stacks

EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies (EKPO), a joint venture between ElringKlinger (60%) and Plastic Omnium (40%) continues to fill its order pipeline: EKPO has been given an exclusive multi-year contract by Aachen-based mobility company AE Driven Solutions (AEDS) to deliver fuel cell stacks of the type NM5-evo.

The order is for a volume that is expected to be in the high double-digit million euro range. The stacks are designed to meet AEDS’s performance, durability, and smooth operation requirements and will be installed on delivery vehicles as part of the company’s system integration efforts with the goal of offering environmentally friendly drive technology in metropolitan areas. The stacks are slated to begin serial production in the first part of 2022.

EKPO’s stack offering has expanded with the addition of the NM5-evo stack. Along with a high power density of up to 4.6 kW/l in the cell block, it complies with the customer’s stringent requirements for a durable, compact fuel cell stack design. This features a large power spectrum of up to 76 kW in pressure mode, in addition to the relatively low weight. Additionally, the stack design provides the greatest possible foundation for scalability and modularization, allowing the end user to create the most flexible and efficient consumption application conceivable.

AEDS, like EKPO, sees major benefits linked with hydrogen-based technology when it comes to evolving climate-friendly mobility. When the hydrogen required for the fuel cell system is generated from wind, solar, or water power, the drive system utilizing such fuel cell technology can be regarded totally CO2-neutral. In the sphere of transportation, hydrogen’s advantages become apparent whenever idle time is expensive.

This is particularly true for long-distance transport, but also for last-mile delivery, i.e., applications with a long range or cyclical operation. Vehicles are used for a variety of purposes, including commercial and delivery vehicles, as well as buses, as well as industrial applications such as customized vehicles and material handling equipment. Additionally, hydrogen-fueled fuel cell drives can be used in trains, ships, and planes.